Genoa Boat Show confirms nautical sector in recovery

(ANSA) - Genoa, October 5 - 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.