Travel, including luxury travel, looks different this year than in the recent past, thanks to COVID-19. Now, private travel in your own car or boat looks much more appealing than sharing a cruise ship or resort with strangers, any of whom could be carrying a virus.
Even despite the harsh economic effects of COVID-19 and lockdowns, the global luxury travel market is predicted to grow by $213 billion by 2024.
Soel Yachts, a Dutch company specializing in solar yachts, announced a new solar-powered yacht, the Soel Senses 48. The company also appeals to the interest in sustainability customers might have, as an emission-free vehicle that they don't have to feel guilty about.
Sustainable travel can have different meanings, including trips that take into account the impact on communities they affect. In Soel Yachts' case, the company emphasizes that the solar-powered yachts are silent and don't rely on fossil fuels, meaning that they have a minimal impact on pristine waters and wildlife compared to traditional boats.
Soel Yachts first released a solar-powered model in 2015, the SoelCat 12. Since then, the line has expanded to include the Soel Shuttle 14 to take guests to a Bora Bora resort, with plans to eventually build a sustainable floating island. The Soel Senses 48 is the newest addition to the lineup.