138,273 visitors (+11.3%), over 4,600 sea trials and 1,287 accredited journalists. Positive feedback from businesses, with orders secured and contracts signed during the six-day event.
The 66th Genoa International Boat Show, organised by Confindustria Nautica – Italian Marine Industry Association in Genoa from 1 to 6 October, has concluded with results exceeding expectations. Six busy, well-attended days confirmed the event’s growth, its international standing and, above all, its ability to generate business development and tangible opportunities for companies. 138,273 visitors were recorded (+11.3%) at an event bringing together over 1,000 boats and exhibitors from 45 countries, representing the full spectrum of the boating industry, from small boats to superyachts, from boatbuilding to equipment and components. Among the most significant figures for the 2026 edition were over 4,600 sea trials conducted during the six-day event, alongside 215 new products presented at the Show. This highlights one of the Genoa International Boat Show’s defining features: the opportunity to see the latest products and take the boats exhibited on the water out for sea trials. Experiencing the product first-hand is an integral part of the event, giving shipyards, industry professionals and visitors direct access to boats in real operating conditions.
The event also attracted substantial media interest, with 1,287 accredited journalists from Italy and abroad. This confirms the Genoa International Boat Show’s ability to draw attention to the boating industry and its leading figures, supported by the presence of prominent international media and an expanded international invitational programme. Completing the picture were 90 scientific forums and institutional debates, the FORUM26 programme under the patronage of the European Commission, 6,207 articles published in print and online, and 11,649,960 views on the official Facebook and Instagram pages between 15 September and 6 October. These results are particularly significant in the current market environment. Feedback from exhibitors points to positive sentiment, with shipyards securing orders and signing contracts during the Show and a strong presence of industry professionals and international buyers. The Genoa International Boat Show thus reaffirms its role as a market platform for the Italian and international boating industry, supporting the sector’s evolution and translating business needs into opportunities for trade, relationships and growth in global markets.
Piero Formenti, President of Confindustria Nautica: “The Genoa International Boat Show is first and foremost a resource at the service of the industry, and the results of this edition confirm its strength and purpose. In a changing market, the most significant factor is the quality of the business generated: supply met demand, contracts were signed and shipyards created new opportunities. This is the value of an event organised by the industry for the industry, bringing together industry representation and the market, industrial vision and international reach. The new projects introduced this year also delivered positive results. The Blue Arena proved successful, as did the integration of the Show, the Palasport Pavilion and the shopping centre, creating new connections with the city and younger audiences. Living Made in Italy was another great success, and we want to develop it further, strengthening synergies between boating, design and other expressions of Made in Italy. We will start work immediately on both projects for 2027. Preparations for the next Show have already begun. The results of this edition also confirm the merits of holding the Boat Show in October. Today, we therefore announce that the 67th Genoa International Boat Show will take place in Genoa from 30 September to 5 October 2027, reaffirming a decision that meets the industry’s needs and supports the event’s evolution. This is a Show created by businesses for businesses, an asset and an opportunity for the whole country. The Show must therefore continue to grow alongside the market and the companies it represents, strengthening its international standing to reflect the Italian boating industry’s global leadership.”
Marina Stella, General Manager of Confindustria Nautica: “Internationalisation and innovation are two strategic drivers of our industry’s competitiveness, and two areas in which the Show is strengthening its role in serving businesses. With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency, the inbound delegation programme doubled the number of international buyers and journalists from 35 countries and generated 580 business meetings over the two days dedicated to B2B meetings. This creates tangible opportunities for our companies to build relationships with overseas markets and strengthens our ability to showcase Italian boating worldwide, with particular value for small and medium-sized enterprises. Alongside market access, we have worked for years to strengthen the supply chain’s ability to identify and develop innovation. With this in mind, Confindustria Nautica supports the start-up ecosystem, creating opportunities to bring together new expertise, research and industry. The startups exhibiting in the Blue Arena this year, thanks to the collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency, connect Made in Italy craftsmanship with innovation. Our aim is to strengthen the entire supply chain’s ability to compete and respond to the sector’s technological, environmental and production changes.”
THE MARKET TAKES CENTRE STAGE: BUSINESS AND INTERNATIONALISATION
International reach remains one of the Italian boating industry’s defining strengths. In 2025, the boatbuilding sector’s export share reached 90%, while export value reached a new record of €4.4 billion, up 2.6% on 2024, with Italy accounting for 21.3% of global exports. This international leadership is particularly evident in the superyacht, inflatable boat, equipment and component segments. For such an export-oriented industry, the Show’s ability to generate business and facilitate access to international markets is therefore of strategic importance. Returning for their second year, the TechTrade Days also supported this objective and brought together over 400 specialist equipment and component brands, with a programme aimed at shipyards, designers, technical departments, purchasing managers, manufacturers, distributors and suppliers.
FORUM26: KEY ISSUES FOR A CHANGING BOATING INDUSTRY
The FORUM26 programme, under the patronage of the European Commission, hosted scientific discussions and institutional debates throughout the six days, making the Show a forum for in-depth examination of the main factors shaping the boating industry’s competitiveness and evolution. The 66th Genoa International Boat Show reaffirmed its role as a platform for discussion of the key factors shaping the boating industry’s development and competitiveness. The programme covered the sector’s entire agenda, bringing together industry, institutions, research, professionals and Italian and international operators. The primary focus was on the market and competitiveness, with the presentation of the Boating Economic Forecast and analysis of the sector’s data, trends and outlook. The programme also addressed regulatory issues directly affecting business operations, from the new anti-money laundering rules to taxation and customs, and cybersecurity in the blue economy. Considerable attention was given to technological and environmental changes across the supply chain: artificial intelligence, electrification and hybrid propulsion, design and new processes, sustainability, materials, and collaboration between shipyards and suppliers. The World Yachting Sustainability Forum and the European Sustainable Boating Roundtable stimulated international discussion of the transition to sustainability, while the TechTrade Seminars and sessions on artificial intelligence and cross-industry innovation explored the practical application of new technologies to boating. The programme also addressed the economic role of yachting and the economy of the sea, the development of startups and innovative SMEs, coastal tourism and maritime infrastructure, a strategic resource for Italy and a powerful driver of value for local areas.
STATEMENTS FROM INSTITUTIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Silvia Salis, Mayor of Genoa: “The success of this edition is the result of a collective effort. I thank Confindustria Nautica, President Piero Formenti, the Liguria Region, the Chamber of Commerce and Porto Antico: everyone played their part. Genoa supported the Show, including through its municipally owned companies, which helped welcome visitors and ensure the event ran smoothly. Special thanks go to our Municipal Police, who managed the heavy traffic over these days with effective solutions that we will use again in future years. I am grateful to all the women and men who worked to make this result possible. We have worked alongside the boating industry for months and want to continue improving the city’s ability to support the Show’s growth and international reach. Events accompanying the Show, including those beyond boating, engage a broader and younger audience, offering new opportunities to experience Genoa. We will continue along this path, with initiatives that enrich the Show’s offering and encourage visitors to stay longer, benefiting the entire city. We want an increasingly innovative and welcoming Boat Show. That is why I warmly welcomed the Blue Arena, which allowed many people to enjoy a free experience at the Show and discover the world of boating. I hope it will return in future editions. Finally, I am pleased that the €25,000 raised from paid parking will go to charity, with the organisers donating it to Porto dei Piccoli and Music for Peace. These funds will support the valuable work of two organisations committed to solidarity and helping people.”
