Boat show, visitors up 2.8% and boat sales are strong

The 65th edition of the Genoa International Boat Show (September 18-23) closed with 124,248 visitors, 2.8% more than in 2024 (120,864). "We could have done more," commented Piero Formenti, president of Confindustria Nautica, "but unfortunately we had two days of strikes, one of which involved transport, and the orange weather alert, which slowed down arrivals on Monday somewhat. I believe that, otherwise, we would have definitely reached close to 130,000."

"It's a mature show," Formenti added, "a product that's been ready for some time. Now we need to make sure everyone can come and enjoy it. Genoa is not a destination." The event, he continued, "went well; the exhibitors are happy and sold. Even the small boating sector, which performed better than expected. To date, aesthetically speaking, we are the most beautiful show in the world. Now, however, everyone from around the world needs to be able to attend. I've discussed this extensively with both President Bucci and Mayor Salis; we need to have easier access to Genoa, especially from abroad."

The president then focused on the dates of the Genoa Boat Show, which falls between the Cannes Yachting Festival (September 9-14) and the Monaco Yacht Show (September 24-27). The issue of dates "is an evolving topic. Every year it's discussed and debated," Formenti said, "and we weigh the pros and cons, weighing the most and least advantageous aspects. What matters is that the strength, power, beauty, and maturity this show is taking on allows us to choose any date, because we will be increasingly stronger and able to assert ourselves. Instead of us moving the dates to distance the Genoa Boat Show from those in Cannes and Monaco, perhaps they will move away, out of fear of us."

Marco Bucci, president of the Liguria Region, emphasized that the Genoa Boat Show has "demonstrated its potential to be among the world's leading events, if not the leading one. This is a goal I believe is absolutely achievable, even in the short term." For the governor, positioning the Genoa-based boat show as the world's leading event is a tangible goal, but action is needed on some fronts. For example, he said, "the calendar needs to be revised."

For Genoa's mayor, Silvia Salis, "It was an excellent show. There are still some things that need to be finished, such as the hotel (planned for the new waterfront— editor's note ). There are also some parts still under construction, but I believe the project could be completed within a year and a half." During the event, "as a city administration, we had excellent feedback: the opening of the Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO World Heritage site, sold out immediately. Furthermore, the youth ticket for this show also brought a new type of visitor. I also believe there must be very close collaboration between the city and all the organizations that bring people to the area, to find accommodation solutions that are increasingly suited to this type of tourism. Finally, there is the issue of close proximity between the boat shows that needs to be addressed, to assess whether a better job can be done in terms of timing."