TRANSEUROPE MARINAS 13


Marina community keeps it simple A


n association of select European marinas, TransEurope Marinas offers reciprocal visitor


discounts to berth-holders. Member marinas seek to encourage cruising throughout a wide network of international marine destinations, whilst benefiting from shared expertise to advance individual management practice and offer an improved service to the boating community. Qualifying member berth-


holders can take advantage of the discounted berthing rates by presenting their free membership card to the reception staff upon arrival at any member marina. Currently, membership benefits


are strictly limited to berth-holders with a minimum six-month berthing contract in member marinas.


Main objective Jean-Michel Gaigné, CMM, the association’s Chairman, explains: “With over 30 years of association, our network of selected marinas throughout Europe is a melting pot where member managers share experience, enthusiasm and innovative ideas. TransEurope Marinas is less a label and more a distinction – one of which we are justly proud. Our main objective


is to enable our berth-holders to spend more time sailing – encouraged by means of the reassurance of a warm welcome in international marinas and the advantage of discounted berthing. All this with a single motto: Let’s keep it simple! “TransEurope Marinas comprises


the largest marina group in Europe, spanning 11 countries and close to 45,000 berths. Originally created to help bolster smaller, independent and often family-run marinas, both sides of the Channel/La Manche, what was ‘Transmanche Marinas’ evolved to incorporate members across the Iberian Peninsula, Ireland and The Netherlands before extending further South to countries such as Greece, Croatia and Italy. “The essence of the group is


based on a convivial, low-cost membership system whereby marina members offer reciprocal discounts to their berth-holders, permitting them to enjoy a 50%


berthing discount in over 82 other European marinas for up to five days in each facility. As far as possible, marinas are spaced at a minimum distance of 30 nautical miles or a day’s sail away, providing nocturnal refuge. Members are encouraged to meet service and safety standards corresponding to four or five Gold Anchors (TYHA); in this way, berth-holders can be assured of a similar level of service as a visitor in affiliated marinas. “Two meetings per year allow member marina managers to network and share ideas; many strong friendships having grown over the years. The lack of local competition keeps politics at bay and a better knowledge of services offered in overseas countries is passed on to cruising customers as advice and recommendations.”


Pick a Pier An online marina optimisation platform that helps streamline sailing activities for both marinas and yacht owners, Pick a Pier’s team has remained busy and creative during lockdown, working with TransEurope marina managers to help them become familiar with the new membership programme and identify the best means to improve resident and visitor


berthing services. With the coronavirus pandemic


having compelled people to telework and conduct meetings online, use of digital communications has soared, furnishing staff with new skills and enabling innovative working practices. This will clearly be a benefit for the future as people become increasingly more comfortable with virtual networks. It seems like a perfect opportunity then to welcome the digitisation of simple processes that save time and offer a more seamless service to boaters, even during periods when marina office access is restricted. Once officially launched later this


Summer, the Pick a Pier programme will allow berth-holders to request their card remotely and have it validated by their home port. They can then use their unique code to benefit from membership berthing discounts for reservations made around the network. The system will be available


in several languages (English, French, German and Spanish), with attractive marina profiles that enhance online visibility. The membership platform enables the marinas to receive transactional e-mails whenever a boater requests a TransEurope Marinas card and/ or would like to reserve a berth, allowing marinas to respond and communicate with the boater. Member marinas are shortly about


to enter the testing phase to ensure that all works well in order to be able to offer a fully-functioning service for when boat-owners are permitted back on the water and can enjoy sailing once again. TransEurope is delighted to be


Jean-Michel Gaigné is the Director of Saint-Quay Port d’Armor, France.


able to work with the Pick a Pier team, which is also developing projects with the Blue Flag organisation and ICOMIA, and whose progressive view of the marina industry is already bearing fruit. TransEurope Marinas info@transeuropemarinas.com www.transeuropemarinas.com


MARINA INDUSTRY • JUNE 2020


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