A series of positive signs for the 64th Genoa International Boat Show (19-24 September) as underlined by Saverio Cecchi, president of Confindustria Nautica at the presentation press conference held on 2 September in the historic Palazzo Meridiana in Genoa: “The state of the health of our sector is revealed by the numbers. In 2023 it will grow from 8 to 15%, with over 8 billion euros in turnover and we will exceed 4 billion euros in exports. Furthermore, 90% of our boats are exported.”
La leadership del “Made in Italy”
“The 64th edition of the Genoa International Boat Show promises to be a moment of affirmation and consolidation. The international macroeconomic scenario, which offers a double reading between political-military tensions and announced interest rate cuts, for the moment seems not to have affected the positive trend that has characterised the sector for some years now,” stated Andrea Razeto, President of I Saloni Nautici, the company organizing the Boat Show. “The leadership of ‘Made in Italy’ yachting in the world has remained consolidated for over twenty years. In 2023, the global production leadership of Italian superyachts registered +21% compared to the previous year, representing 51% of global orders: one boat out of every two in the world’s seas is Made in Italy.
Record numbers
This year, the Genoa International Boat Show will also feature the iconic indoor sports arena, known as Genoa’s Palasport, a symbolic building now back in shape and at the heart of the Show, boasting a restyling signed by renowned architect Renzo Piano. Having long since surpassed the threshold of one thousand brands and boats on display –this year 1,052 and 1,030 respectively- and with the potential to still improve its overall capacity, having kept a selection of spaces free in order to avoid interfering with the final touches on the larger Waterfront di Levante project while alsoensuring visitors enjoy a greater sense of continuity throughout their walk through the Show, the layout allows for a unique and engaging visiting experience across a seamless exhibition route. In total, 220 thousand square metres of exhibition space between land and water, with 85% of areas outdoors: 5,000 square metres more than in 2023. The number of foreign exhibitors is also on the rise: in the production segment alone the number has risen by 23 and there will also be more than 100 new products on show with 30 premieres. Online ticket sales have also seen an increase of 16% as of the same date this year, compared to 2023.
A Boat Show full of events
The events calendar is brimming with insightful conferences and talks. To mention just a few, the eagerly awaited Boating Economic Forecast with the presentation of the latest update of market data by the Italian Marine Industry Association’s Market Intelligence and Research department in partnership with the Edison Foundation; an event organised by the Leonardo Foundation and the Ansaldo Foundation for Marconi’s 150th anniversary; the European Boating roundtable, organised in cooperation with EBI, the European Boating Federation, which will see representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament members, and entrepreneurs from the yachting sector debate sustainability with a focus on nautical tourism. The Genoa International Boat Show and the Italian Marine Industry Association’s commitment to a sustainable future will also be expressed in the third edition of the Shaping The Future – World Yachting Sustainability Forum, the forum organised by the Italian Marine Industry Association in cooperation with IBI – International Boat Industry.
Finally, at the 63rd Genoa International Boat Show the awards of the fifth edition of the Design Innovation Award will be assigned. The Design Innovation Award is an award established by Confindustria Nautica and the Genoa Boat Show, with the aim of enhancing the excellence of nautical design and rewarding products that represent the best of technological and stylistic innovation.
A solidarity Boat Show
Last but not least, and always with a focus on social sustainability and social healthcare, this year the Genoa Boat Show and the Italian Marine Industry Association’s commitment to support the Giannina Gaslini Children’s Hospital, one of the most important pediatric hospitals in the world in terms of treatment and research, continues. In fact, thanks to the cooperation established with the Gaslini’s Foundation, this year even by simply purchasing e-tickets for the Boat Show, visitors will be contributing to the fundraising with the aim of donating a neonatal ventilator system to the Children’s Hospital.
Emilio Martinelli
