The Italian nautical sector is
showing signs of a definite recovery, according to vendors and
industry professionals the 55th Genoa Boat Show on Monday, the
trade show's sixth and final day.
"We've started selling again, not just promoting," said
Carla Demaria, president of non-profit Italian marine industry
association UCINA.
"Italians have started to buy boats of all sizes again, and
this was an absolute surprise," she said.
"All sectors benefited from this edition of the show,"
Demaria said.
UCINA's vice president for the sailing sector, Fabio
Planamente of Cantieri del Pardo, also confirmed the increase in
sales.
"Finally clients are coming not just to ask for estimates
but to sign contracts, and there's optimism among the vendors.
It's not a bubble, it's tangible," he said, adding that he
closed three contracts for Cantiere del Pardo, maker of Grand
Soleil performance sailing yachts and Sly yachts.
"Negotiations that had started in September in Cannes were
closed in Genoa. That hasn't happened for four or five years,"
Planamente said.
"There's been a positive air in all sectors, in particular
sailing, which has become the beating heart of this show," he
said.
Vendors of motors, small boats, and accessories were also
enthusiastic, noting that bad weather didn't seem to keep crowds
away.
"We're satisfied both for the Italian market, finally in
growth, as well as for the foreign market, which showed a lot of
enthusiasm," said Maurizio Selva of Selva Marine, maker of
outboard motors and boats.
"Unfortunately the weather didn't help. With better weather
we could have gone out on the sea and brought more people to try
our boats," he said.
"Despite the weather, attendance was good," said Marco Donà
of Saim, supplier of high-tech equipment to shipyards.
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