Venice Boat Show attracts 30,000 visitors

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Luigi Brugnaro (far left), Mayor of Venice

Over 30,000 people from 30 countries attended the fourth Venice Boat Show, according to organiser Vela, which said the visitors to the historic city on Italy’s northeast coast came from “all over the Adriatic basin and eastern Europe”. Vela organised the five-day event in the Venetian Arsenal district on behalf of the City of Venice and in cooperation with the Italian Navy.

Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of Venice, said: “The Arsenal has confirmed itself as the home of the peoples of the sea, which includes not only those who strolled the piers searching for their ideal boat but also many dedicated workers, researchers and politicians. We have seen great interest around the vessels presented and equally great satisfaction from the shipyards involved.”

The Arsenal again hosted the five-day show

The show featured 240 boats in the water and another 60 on land. The 220 exhibitors were dominated by 180 from Italy, led by Ferretti Group, which has participated in every edition and showcased 10 yachts for a second successive year.

Ferretti Group staged the wallywhy150’s world premiere, a Custom Line Navetta 30 (93ft), Pershing 7X (69ft) and 9X (92ft), Ferretti Yachts 500, 580 and 720 models, plus a Rivamare (38ft), 56’ Rivale and 68’ Diable from Riva’s Open series.

The show attracted over 30,000 visitors

Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, said: “This year’s Venice Boat Show brought us great satisfaction, while highlighting the opportunity for sea travel and the economic benefits of tourism in this region. I’m increasingly convinced the Upper Adriatic and Venice can become our own French Riviera, due to the area’s beauty and the unparalleled year-round draw of Venice itself.

“We believed in the Venice Boat Show when others saw us as mere dreamers, just as now we believe that Italian seagoing, which accounts for half of global orders, can give solidity to this project, transforming the stretch of coast from Venice to Trieste into an international hub of great interest for leisurely sea travel.”

Motor yachts on display

Among fellow Italian shipyards, Azimut staged the European premiere of its Verve 42 alongside a Magellano 66, Fly 68 and Fly 72. Sanlorenzo showed an SL78 planing yacht, sister company Bluegame displayed the BG42 and new BG54, Arcadia returned with a Sherpa 80, while the steel-hulled Ducale 120 explorer by Oceanking was the show’s largest yacht.

Italian motor yacht builders also included Absolute, Rizzardi, Pardo, FIM (Fabbrica Italiana Motoscafi or Italian Motorboat Factory) and Explorer by Luxury Ocean Yachts (LOY), while Invictus, Solaris Power and Rio Yachts were first-time exhibitors in Venice.

Sanlorenzo SL78

British builder Sunseeker displayed its new Superhawk 55 alongside a Manhattan 55 and Manhattan 68. A Fountaine Pajot Power 67 catamaran was among yachts from French builders including Prestige and Beneteau. Nautor Swan from Finland (and Italy) was among international builders, Turkey’s Sirena showed its Sirena 58, while Greece’s Omikron Yachts debuted its OT-60.

“We could not have chosen a better place for the launch of our Omikron OT-60,” said Nikolas Dendrinos, Chairman of Olympic Marine, Omikron Yachts’ parent company. “This is a very well organised boat show in an incredible location, which was perfect for us to exhibit our vessel. We received a great amount of interest and can confirm we will be present next year.”

Sailing yachts increased 50 per cent

Meanwhile, displays of sailing yachts increased 50 per cent and includes the 100ft Whimsea by CNB and a Swan 65. Exhibitors include Beneteau, Lagoon, Dufour, Jeanneau, Pegasus and Italia Yachts, while first-time attendees include Elan, Bavaria, Solaris, Neo, Felci, Kufner and Hallberg-Rassy.

Slovenia’s Pegasus Yachts presented its P50 in its traditional and electric versions. “We are grateful to the Venice Boat Show. This is the third edition we’ve attended and we’ve seen a great deal of development during these years,” said shipyard founder Marko Pas.

The show is a hub for Adriatic

“I believe it will continue to grow and will become a point of reference, just as the Genoa and Cannes shows are. We’re working on the American market and Venice is the ideal city for those who come from afar, as there are many direct flights from the largest cities in the US.”

Substantial growth was also evident in the electrical sector, with over 50 electrical vessels exhibited, a 30 per cent increase compared to last year’s edition. Exhibitors include Greenline, Candela, X Shore, Alfastreet Marine, FAP (Falegnameria Artigianale Pesce) and Rand Boats, while newcomers include Freepower, Laneva, Green Dream Boats and Amperetta.

Electric boats increased 30 per cent

Mayor Brugnaro said: “These five days have affirmed the will to transform this exhibition into a central event not only for our city but also for the eastern Mediterranean, as the show has demonstrated it has all the requirements to become a point of reference for the development and the economic growth of Italy.

“This year’s Venice Boat Show was beautiful, but the next one will be even better. We await all visitors who wish to return and repeat this incredible experience with us.”

The fifth Venice Boat Show will be held from May 29-June 2, 2024.

www.salonenautico.venezia.it