The Marche region’s boating sector aims to showcase itself beyond the figures of shipbuilding, placing businesses, expertise and the local area at the heart of the narrative. This is the aim of the event organised by the Marche Yachting and Cruising Association (AMYC) and ATIM, the Marche Region’s Agency for Tourism and Internationalisation.
The initiative kicked off in Ancona with a round-table discussion involving institutions, representatives from the business and academic worlds, and key players in the region’s yachting sector. Giacomo Bugaro, a regional councillor for the Marche Region with responsibility for economic development, internationalisation and the blue economy, highlighted the boating sector as strategic for the region’s growth, emphasising the value of an industry that brings together major brands, component manufacturers, designers and specialist professionals. Gino Sabatini, Giovanni Zinni, Mario Baldassarri, Donato Iacobucci and Maurizio Minossi also spoke at the event, highlighting the sector’s economic, employment and international significance.
Among the key highlights was the discussion on the relationship between the nautical sector, design, architecture and the local area, moderated by Francesco Casoli, president of Elica. Nicolò De Vita of FM Architettura, Laura Pomponi of Luxury Projects and Alessandro Massari of Massari Design emphasised the role of creativity, design culture, manufacturing and craftsmanship in the Marche region’s industrial identity. The tour thus offered international guests a first-hand insight into the region’s areas of excellence, from the boating industry to design and high-end manufacturing.
The itinerary included the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, one of the world’s leading centres for the construction of luxury cruise ships, which is also involved in building vessels for Four Seasons Yachts and Viking Cruises. The delegation then visited Poltrona Frau, touring both the company museum and the production facilities.
On that occasion, Marina Santucci, director of ATIM, reiterated the value of initiatives capable of promoting the Marche region on international markets by showcasing local businesses, expertise and industrial capabilities. The programme then focused on companies in the marine and high-end interior design sectors, with stops at Cantori and the new headquarters of FM Architettura, a firm that combines design, creativity and innovation.
The tour also included visits to the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona, Cantiere delle Marche and Palumbo Superyachts – three leading players in the international yachting sector based in the region and specialising in the construction of yachts and superyachts for the world’s major markets.
The event reaffirmed the commitment to showcasing a diverse industrial and manufacturing heritage, which AMYC and ATIM intend to continue promoting to the press and international stakeholders, thereby strengthening the Marche region’s position as a leading centre for yachting, design and manufacturing excellence.
Luca Sordelli
