European Boating Industry joins UN World Tourism Organization

The European Boating Industry (EBI) and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) have joined the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as affiliate members.

EBI is the organisation that represents the recreational boating sector in Europe, and ICOMIA represents the voice of the recreational boating industry worldwide.

The common aim of both associations is to promote nautical tourism as a major tourism option that offers growth opportunities for communities and regions, sustainable solutions and making the entire tourism industry fit for the future.

Marine tourism is growing in the wake of the pandemic, with the yacht charter market predicted to continue to boom in Europe and further afield.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. Based in Spain, it has 159 member states and over 500 affiliate members. UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

At the 118th session of the UNWTO Executive Council, the European Boating Industry (EBI) and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) were accepted as affiliate members, becoming important partners of UNWTO. This position will catapult the nautical tourism sector into the spotlight of tourism organisations at the global level.

The two associations will share the membership, with EBI leading on issues for the European Region and ICOMIA on other global regions. The official membership is held by EBI, but will be shared based on the long-term partnership agreement and excellent collaboration between both associations.

In January 2022, EBI outlined its three-year strategy, accompanied by a new logo and branding; the first update since EBI was founded in 2009.