Uber’s surprise move in tourist hotspot

Aussies heading to this party island will be pleased to know they can get around in style this summer as Uber revealed its world-first move.

Aussies heading to Ibiza will be pelased to know they can get around in style with the launch of a world-first for Uber.

The global rideshare company revealed its surprise move in the nautical charter business with the launch of a yacht service on the party island.

It already has a nautical service in Greece, but it’s now expanded to the Spanish island hotspot with the most luxurious mode of transport ever to launch on the Uber app.

In a world first, ‘Uber Yacht’ will allow holidaymakers to pre-book a private yacht for the day directly via Uber Reserve.

Uber has just dropped a world-first in the party island of Ibiza.

It’s part of the company’s mission to help tourists go anywhere by boat in some of the most popular destinations across the continent.

Other headliners in Uber’s summer boat series include a first-of-its-kind water transport service in Venice’s Laguna, speed boats by the hour in some of Greece’s’ most popular islands and cruises along the river Seine in Paris.

“At Uber we want to give our customers the opportunity to go anywhere, wherever they are travelling,” Anabel Diaz, Vice President, EMEA Mobility at Uber said.

“This summer we are adding a series of bucket-list worthy nautical experiences to the Uber app in some of Europe’s hottest destinations, helping holidaymakers make the most of their trip on the high seas.

It launched ‘Uber Yacht’ will allow Aussies and tourists alike to pre-book a private yacht for the day directly via Uber Reserve.

“Whether it’s sailing around Ibiza in your own private yacht or experiencing the Venetian Lagoon by boat, we’re thrilled to add some Uber magic to our customers’ holidays.”

Tourists will be able to use the Uber app to access new nautical experiences in Ibiza, Venice, Athens, Paris, Corfu and Santorini.

You can have up to eight people on the yacht which will be available between August 3 and 20.

The ‘Uber Yacht’ service will depart from Ibiza Town Marina every day at 12pm and is for groups of up to eight people for €200 ($300) per head.

Each eight-hour trip comes with its own personal skipper, a complimentary bottle of champagne and locally-sourced artisan snacks. Transfers to and from the yacht are included - from anywhere on the island.

It will depart from Ibiza Town Marina every day at 12pm and costs €200 ($A300) per person.

There’s also cruises along the river Seine in Paris, water transport services in Venice’s Laguna and speed boats by the hour in some of Greece’s’ most popular islands.

Aussies heading to the island this summer and keen to experience the service can pre-book via Uber Reserve in Ibiza starting on July 26 and a minimum of 24 hours in advance, with the product available between August 3 and 20.

The water services are in response to rising demand for Uber’s services in tourist hotspots around Europe, according to the company.

Meanwhile, later in July, Uber Boat in Greece will expand from Mykonos to Athens, Corfu and Santorini. Available to book in the Uber app, the product will allow visitors to travel in style to beach clubs, visit scenic coves and reach remote locales.

And those visiting Paris this summer can jump aboard an all-electric boat to enjoy an Uber Cruise, a free one-hour private tour down the river Seine with their friends or family.

Uber said the new travel products are in response to rising demand for Uber’s services in tourist hotspots around Europe.

Data from summer 2023, shows demand from international customers for Uber’s mobility services increased last year by up to 55 per cent in places like Greece and Spain.

According to the company, more than 6.5 million international customers used the Uber app in Europe’s most popular destinations last summer, with more than 800,000 people opening the Uber app in the past 12 months in Ibiza alone.