Genoa, October 2 – Sustainability and innovation led the second day of the 6th International Boat Show, focusing on technologies such as AI, sustainable tourism and circular economy. Two main events, the 5th World Yachting Sustainability Forum and the European Sustainable Boating Roundtable, highlighted the challenges and opportunities for the nautical sector, with particular attention to the Mediterranean, one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. The goal is to move from ambition to implementation, from projects to coordinated impact and from pilot investments to scalable solutions at regional level.
Artificial intelligence and sustainability: a strategic combination
The 5th World Yachting Sustainability Forum, organized by IBI – International Boat Industry in collaboration with Confindustria Nautica, saw the participation of experts and industry representatives to discuss the role of technological innovation in the sustainable transition of the industry. In connection with Boston, Paola Pisano, former Minister for Technology Innovation, presented the results of a study carried out in collaboration with prestigious institutions, which highlighted how AI can strengthen corporate sustainability, amplifying analysis, decision and innovation skills. “AI should be seen as a new organization drug, capable of amplifying analysis, decision, learning and innovation skills”, said Pisano.
The comparison continued with Clément Himily of Beneteau Group, Giovanni Palama of SailADV and Rubén Carmona of MB92 Group, who deepened the relationship between sustainability, digitalization and AI, with particular attention to the quality of data, cultural transformation and new business models. Himily illustrated the NEO and ReFit programmes of Beneteau, launched with the aim of extending the life cycle of products and promoting circularity. “It promotes circularity and allows to acquire new customers, extending the relationship with the user beyond the initial sale,” he stressed.
Mediterranean: a workshop for sustainable economy
The European Sustainable Boating Roundtable, organized by EBI – European Boating Industry in collaboration with Confindustria Nautica, has shifted focus on the sustainability of nautical tourism and development opportunities for the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean is one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, with about 30% of international tourism, and a fundamental laboratory for sustainable economy. “Tourism is a crucial sector for Mediterranean countries, contributing up to 20% of GDP in some countries”Nisreen Tamimi, Deputy Secretary General for Sustainable Development of the Union for the Mediterranean.
The debate saw the participation of experts such as Joe Lynch, CEO of ICOMIA, Fabio Planamente, Vice President of Confindustria Nautica, and Massimo Pronio, Head of Communication of the Representation in Italy of the European Commission. They faced the main challenges and opportunities for nautical tourism in the Mediterranean, from environmental sustainability to infrastructure development, to the need for a harmonized regulatory framework. “The Mediterranean is a model for the development of nautical tourism in other regions of the world,” Lynch said.
At the Power Village, the press conference “Porto delle Grazie 2030 – Marina Dialogues” presented the vision of Roccella Jonica for the nautical tourism of the future. The Red Bull Italy SailGP Team met the Italian Sailing Federation and Rome Capital to tell the appointment of 2027 on the Roman coast. The event marked a further step towards collaboration between sectors and territories for sustainable and innovative tourism.