The Genoa Boat Show closes with over 138,000 visitors

The 66th Genoa International Boat Show closes today having attracted over 138,000 visitors, an increase of 11.2 per cent compared with last year’s event. This was announced by the president of Confindustria Nautica, Piero Formenti, on the final day of the Genoa show. Comparing the results with previous editions of the boat shows ‘in Fort Lauderdale and Düsseldorf, which are our competitors, we can already say that this year we are the world’s leading boat show. Now we must maintain this leading position, which is the hardest part. Moving the dates to October (from the 1st to the 6th, whereas previously it was around 20 September) was a helpful move, and we did so because the companies asked us to.”

The positive feedback, Formenti added, “is coming from operators across all sectors: from small pleasure craft and sailing right through to superyachts, where key contracts – initiated at the Cannes and Monte Carlo events – have been finalised and signed. And this, too, confirms the soundness of our strategic choice of dates (previously, the Genoa event was sandwiched between Cannes and Monte Carlo, ed.). Excellent signs are also coming from the accessories and components sector.

Looking ahead, he continued, “and with a view to the 2027 edition, already scheduled for 30 September to 5 October, we will work to refine the integration with the new facilities on the Levante waterfront, from the Palasport to the area where the tensile structure used to stand (demolished this year, ed.), the removal of which has created a unique visual continuity towards the sea. There is also a strong commitment, on the part of Mayor Salis and the municipal subsidiaries, to the maintenance of the infrastructure. The real game-changer on the horizon will be the new dock designed by Renzo Piano, as part of the new breakwater: it will accommodate boats up to 100–120 metres in length, creating a centre for refitting and nautical services unrivalled anywhere in the world.”

During the six days of the event, explained Marina Stella, Director-General of Confindustria Nautica (the association which, as usual, organised the event), more than 4,600 sea trials were carried out, 90 debates – both institutional and otherwise – were organised, and 215 new products were on display.

“It was a great success,” added the Mayor of Genoa, Silvia Salis, “in which everyone played their part. Genoa threw itself wholeheartedly behind the Boat Show; we did this by planning, for months, what has become a successful and very well-organised event.” The show, remarked Alessio Piana, the Liguria Region’s Councillor for Economic Development, “does not end today: the work will continue, not only in future editions but also in the important task of promoting our region and our areas of excellence.”