Genoa International Boat Show sees visitor increase and boost to Italian industry

The Genoa International Boat Show has reported a 2.19 per cent increase in visitors over last year, with 120,864 delegates attending the Italian boat show.

Some 1,052 brands and 1,030 boats were on display with 85 per cent of the show hosted outdoors, plus, more than 100 new products were presented along with 30 premieres, and 125 conferences and workshops.

As part of the Boating Economic Forecast conference, the Italian Marine Industry Association’s Market Intelligence and Research Department confirmed the Italian boating industry continued a double-digit growth in 2023, reaching a record €8.33bn turnover.

2025 dates announced

The 65th edition of the Genoa International Boat Show will take place from 18 to 23 September 2025.

This year, Genoa ran with a new boat show layout and organisers have also confirmed a 24 per cent leap in the number of sea trials, with 3,855 taking place across the six-day event.

The winners of the fifth Design Innovation Award were unveiled at a gala event last week, during the boat show.

Following receiving an award for the Saxdor 340 GTWA, Erna Rusi, CEO of Saxdor Yachts, said: “Receiving this recognition from Italy, known for its design heritage, adds significant value and makes the achievement even more meaningful. This prestigious award highlights Saxdor’s innovative concepts, led by Sakari Mattila and supported by our entire design team.”

Andrea Razeto, president of I Saloni Nautici, says: “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.”

This 2024 edition of the show 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 license 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. 

Boat show importance

Exhibitors and industry delegates reflected positively on the 2024 edition of the Genoa boat show.

Daniela Garnero Santanché, Minister of Tourism, says: “Trade events are of fundamental importance for Italian tourism and are essential to its seasonal adjustment. If there were no Boat Show in Genoa, tourism would be nothing like it is today. 

Marco Bucci, Mayor of Genoa, says: “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… 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.”

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.