Outdoor fairs usually depend on the weather. If the weather is bad, it is more difficult for visitors to get closer. And after four days of sun, today, just on the last day of the Barcelona International Boat Show, the rain made an appearance, spoiling the closing Sunday, which is usually quite massive as it is a non-working day. And yet, despite the couple of showers that fell in the morning in Port Vell, one of the sector’s driving events in Spain closed its 2023 edition, reaching a figure of close to 50,000 attendees, as estimated by Fira de Barcelona, ??organizer. of the exhibition together with the National Association of Nautical Companies (Anen), hours before its final closing. This is a similar figure to that of a year ago.
“This edition has once again highlighted the need for the sector to have this event as a driving force for sales and promotion of the practice of recreational and sports boating,” said the president of the Boat Show, Luis Conde, when The fair was almost over. “In addition, this year we have been great promoters of the America’s Cup for sailing, with the aim of making the city better aware of it and promoting Barcelona internationally as a nautical capital,” added the president of Náutico.
And without a doubt this edition of the show was marked by the Copa del América, which will be held a year from now in Barcelona. Through the Port of Barcelona stand, an extensive program of conferences and talks about the Hundred Guineas Cup was held. Representatives of the different teams also met, who are taking advantage of these days to train in weather conditions similar to those they will encounter, to present themselves in society and start the final countdown to the celebration of the sporting event. We also collaborated with the immersive exhibition America’s Cup Experience, located in the old Imax.
As some team bases are already located in spaces where the show is traditionally held, the organization was forced to reinvent itself. They managed to bring together 240 exhibitors and 640 boats, 160 of which as displays on the water. Big brands met and, according to Fira, a “significant number of commercial operations” were registered. Next year it is very possible that the Náutico will change dates so as not to coincide with the Copa del América, although we will also try to take advantage of its momentum.
“This year we have continued to accompany companies in the sector in their journey towards more innovative and respectful navigation with the marine environment,” said the director of the Boat Show, Josep Antoni Llopart. In the 22,000 m2 of exhibition space it was possible to see the progress, without pause but not dizzying, of electric and hybrid motors, which are more respectful of the environment. It was also possible to learn about digitalization and innovation alternatives. These are trends that have been recurring in the latest editions of the fair specialized in boats and services for the maritime sector.
Another trend that could be observed was the rise of boat rentals, which has become one of the great gateways to the nautical sector. According to Anen, four out of every ten boats currently sold in Spain end up destined for this area, which was represented at the show with several companies.
