Another successful year for the Genoa International Boat Show, which closes its 64th edition with 120,864 visitors registered as of 2.00 pm on 24th September – the event’s closing day a 2.19% increase compared to 2023 despite yesterday’s unforgiving weather.
1,052 brands and 1,030 boats were on display across a total exhibition area of 220,000 square metres on land and water, with 85% of areas outdoor. The sea trial format is also on the rise with 3,855 tests having taken place during the Boat Show, a 24% leap compared to the previous edition.
More than 100 new products were presented along with 30 premieres, 125 conferences and workshops, 1,154 accredited journalists (a 1.58% increase on 2023) and 2,416 articles published during the event days alone (+5.3% on 2023).
Andrea Razeto, President of I Saloni Nautici: “According to the vast majority of our exhibitors, the Genoa International Boat Show has represented a turning point following something of a less dynamic start to the season. We are confident that the organisers’ tremendous effort to rethink and update the Boat Show is a key factor behind this success.”
The Genoa International Boat Show has also confirmed its role as the main venue in which the yachting industry is able to interact directly with the Government and public institutions, and during which essential measures supporting the sector are presented along with regulatory and industrial policy interventions.
This 2024 edition in particular saw the approval of the Regulatory framework implementing the Italian Boating Code – which provides regulations in support of all units from small boats to superyachts, a reduction in red tape for those flying the Italian flag, safety equipment updates, and the introduction of the much-awaited boating licence designed for 16-year-olds – of the new Professional Chartering Title, and the announcement by the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency of a technical round table aimed at facilitating the transition from national to EU regulations.
Saverio Cecchi, President of the Italian Marine Industry Association Confindustria Nautica: “Last year I asked President Meloni to listen to what this industry had to say, and to follow up with her attention and action. We have benefitted from the government’s attention and the measures that the sector needs are beginning to come through. I trust that our requests will also be taken into account in the Blue economy bill.”
The 64th edition of the Genoa International Boat Show saw official visits from the President of the Italian Senate, Ignazio La Russa, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructures and Transport, Matteo Salvini, the Minister for Business and Made in Italy Production, Adolfo Urso (via a video message opening conference), the Minister for Tourism, Daniela Garnero Santanchè, the President of the Italian Trade Agency, Matteo Zoppas, and the General Confederation of Italian Industry’s Presidential Delegate for the Marine Economy, Mario Zanetti.
Marco Bucci, Mayor of Genoa: “The 64th Genoa International Boat Show has once again demonstrated its role as a leading event for the international yachting sector and a world-class showcase for our city. This year the Genoa Boat Show has once again confirmed its position as a global reference point for the sector, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the Waterfront.
This achievement is not only the result of the hard work carried out by the organisers and industry operators, but also a strong signal of Genoa’s ability to welcome, innovate, and relaunch its role on the international stage. The entire Liguria region continues to strengthen its maritime vocation, placing itself at the heart of the dialogue between companies, institutions, and technological innovation, ever keeping an eye on sustainability and the future of our sea.
I would like to thank all those who have contributed to this extraordinary success, the Genoa International Boat Show continues to grow, and this is an achievement that fills us with pride.”
As is the case every year, the 64th Genoa International Boat Show was able to count on the support of the Italian Trade Agency, who organised, alongside the Italian Marine Industry Association, the participation of a delegation featuring representatives of the international media and foreign buyers from more than 30 countries and 5 continents, an initiative included in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s Made in Italy Promotion Plan.
The dates were also announced for the 65th Genoa International Boat Show, scheduled to take place from 18th to 23rd September 2025.
