Genoa plans to become “world’s leading boat show”

alt="Genoa plans to become “world’s leading boat show”"/>

The 60th Genoa International Boat Show was held despite the challenges presented by Covid-19

The Mayor of Genoa announced ambitions to make the Genoa International Boat Show “the world’s leading boat show” after the 60th edition attracted 71,168 visitors over the six days.

Italy’s biggest boat show was held from October 1-6 despite the cancellation of many other boat shows including the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show, leading annual shows both originally scheduled for September.

Organisers announced an attendance of 71,168 visitors over the six days

Organised by the Italian Marine Industry Association and I Saloni Nautici, the Genoa show featured 18 world premieres and 824 brands exhibiting across a surface area of over 200,000sqm on land and water, of which 90 per cent was outdoors.

However, the show could occupy a much larger site as part of a proposed 10-year plan to redevelop and upgrade the city’s waterfront area.

The yachts on show included 18 world premieres

Marco Bucci, the Mayor of Genoa, stated: “This has been defined as the boat show of courage and we have shown the world that Genoa is able to come together and face the odds. The Italian Marine Industry Association achieved something incredible this year, on a global scale.

“We have an ambitious project in mind for the Genoa International Boat Show. Now, we can work on the new docks, on the Levante Waterfront and on 400,000sqm of surface area to become the world’s leading boat show.”

Giovanni Toti, President of the Liguria Region, was delighted with this year’s edition and also spoke of the boat show benefiting from the city’s development plans.

The show could grow as part of plans to redevelop the city’s waterfront area

“Every day of the boat show saw its harbours filled to the maximum capacity allowed by anti-Covid regulations. This has been a magnificent opportunity to show the world how capable we are,” Toti said.

“For next year, we will need to aim for different goals, as this boat show takes place in one of the most important areas in the country in terms of urban renewal, thanks to the Genoa Municipality’s ingenious town planning policies, which will transform this region into one of the most important hubs on the Mediterranean.”

This year’s show featured dedicated TV and video production by SN TV, with a total of 40 hours of streaming, and featured 820 registered media including 22 international journalists from 20 countries who benefited from specific ‘green routes’ created for their travel.

Sailing boats on display at the show, which featured 40 hours of live streaming

Marina Stella, Managing Director of the Italian Marine Industry Association, concluded: “This year’s Genoa boat show cannot be compared to any previous edition. We reinvented what it means to organise an event, focused on being effective and on the quality of our exhibitor’s contracts, all while remaining in full compliance with the World Health Organisation’s strictest guidelines and those of the National Technical Scientific Committee.

“Special thanks go to our law enforcement forces, to the Police, the Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, the Italian Navy, Port Authorities, Civil Defence bodies and local health boards, who supported us in implementing the health and safety protocols, and made sure our visitors and exhibitors felt safe both indoors and outside.”