Organised by Fira de Barcelona, in partnership with the National Association of Sailing Companies (ANEN), this year’s edition, to be held from 9th to 13th October, will reflect the recovery of the industry with growth of 7% with respect to 2018. Thus, the event, which this year will feature new brands, will have a total of 290 exhibitors and more than 700 boats, of which 180 will be in the floating exhibition.
With 23 catamarans and 20 light competitive sailing boats, the Barcelona Boat Show offers the largest range of these types of boat in Spain and one of the most important in Europe. Furthermore, ten yachts nominated for the prestigious European Yacht of the Year award will also be present.
Sustainable navigation
In this edition, the fair organisers wanted to focus on the sustainability of sailing as one of the present and future challenges facing the industry. Thus, the ‘Let’s take care of the sea’ conference will be held. Towards sustainability’ will discuss the impact of boating activity and the measures that can be implemented to minimise the presence of waste in seas and oceans. Within the framework of this conference, the Ten Points for Sustainable Sailing will be presented. In addition to hybrid and solar-powered boats, innovations for collecting underwater microplastics and launching products made from recycled materials, the Boat Show will also take steps to reduce environmental impact.
In this regard, the president of the event, Luis Conde, says that “we in the sailing community are the ones with the greatest interest in protecting the environment in which we engage in one of our great passions. Sea lovers cannot stand idly by in the face of the degradation of our seas and oceans. And the Barcelona Boat Show wanted to be the first to take the helm of sustainability”.
In addition to being the best commercial showcase of Spanish boating industry with the presence of major national and international brands, the Barcelona Boat Show is consolidated as the largest professional platform in the industry. With nearly 200 professional meetings in the third edition of the Professional Meetings, the second edition of the Nautic Tech International Investment Forum for startups related to the world of sailing and the first ‘La Mar en Femenino’ Forum to enhance the role of women in the industry, the event presents one of the most comprehensive agendas to facilitate business contacts and contribute to reviving the industry.
The latest data on registrations recorded in the period between January and August of this year indicate a growth of 9.43% compared with the same period in 2018. In this regard, the secretary general of ANEN, Carlos Sanlorenzo, values this growth positively: “This data reflects the current stability of the boating sector, which provides 4.822 billion euros to GVA (Gross Value Added) and generates 82,345 jobs (direct + indirect + induced) and is strategic to promote quality nautical tourism in Spain”.
‘Sea Lovers’
Another of the main objectives of the event is to promote sailing and reach new audiences. That is why it has an attractive programme of activities for the general public, especially the family. During the five days of the event, under the slogan ‘Sea Lovers’, the Barcelona World Race IMOCA 60 school boat will allow visitors to come on board to experience first-hand what it’s like to sail in an 18.29 metre-long competition sailing yacht thanks to collaboration from the Barcelona Oceanic Navigation Foundation (FNOB). For its part, the Catalan Sailing Federation will have an informative space to introduce both young and old alike to competitive sailing and initiation.
The director of the event, Jordi Freixas, says that “the fair is not just a commercial platform for selling boats, but brings together a wide range of services and new ways to enjoy the sea and navigation, as well as multiple options to bring sailing to all audiences and the whole family”.
Therefore, the event has something new for the general public: the 100% Village-Market Boat Show, a fashion market and accessories with live music, food trucks and children’s activities, as well as the traditional Nautical Night, which will take place on the 11th, with musical performances and gastronomic tastings. And on the more playful side, the event will have the Fun Beach Area, a test area with access to the sea for light sailing, kayaking or paddle surfing sessions.
Furthermore, it will also organise a new edition of the Barcelona SUP Festival, a meeting of paddle surf fans who will perform this sport in the waters of the Port Vell, and will host the third Barcelona Paddle Race, an open-sea competition starting from El Prat, passing through the Port Vell and arriving in Badalona. Finally, the fair will reinforce the area of the Traditional Marina with the exhibition, at the Moll de España quay, of classic boats, where workshops and activities will be carried out for the whole family. Visitors to the fair will be able to embark on the queche-type sailing boat Ciutat de Badalona which will make two sailings every day from Barcelona’s sea front.
The 58th edition of the Barcelona Boat Show in partnership with One Ocean Club offers its facilities as a restaurant-village for visitors and exhibitors.
