Outdoor fairs usually depend on the weather. If the weather is bad, it is more difficult for visitors to get close. And after four days of sunshine, yesterday, just on the last day of the Barcelona International Boat Show, the rain made an appearance and spoiled the closing Sunday, which is usually quite massive since it is a non-working day . And yet, despite the couple of showers that fell in the morning in Port Vell, one of the leading events in the sector in Spain closed its edition of the year 2023 reaching a figure of close to 50,000 attendees, as estimated Fira de Barcelona, organizer of the exhibition together with the National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN), when there were only a few hours left before the final closing. This is a figure similar to that of a year ago.
"The present edition has once again highlighted the need for the sector to have this event as a sales booster and promotion of the practice of recreational and sports boating", said the president of the Saló Nàutic, Luis Conde, when it was almost the end of the fair. "Furthermore, this year we have been great promoters of the America's Sailing Cup, with the aim of the city getting to know it better and promoting Barcelona internationally as a nautical capital", added the Nàutic president.
Without a doubt, this edition of the show has been marked by the America's Cup, which will be held in Barcelona in a year's time. A wide program of conferences and talks on the Hundred Guineas Cup was carried out through the stand of the Port of Barcelona. 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. It also collaborated with the immersive America's Cup Experience exhibition, located in the old Imax.
Since some of the teams' bases are already located in spaces where the show is traditionally held, the organization was forced to reinvent itself. They managed to gather 240 exhibitors and 640 boats, 160 of which were on display on the water. Big brands gathered and, according to the Fair, a “significant number of commercial transactions” was registered. It is very possible that next year the Nautic will change dates so as not to coincide with the America's Cup, although it will also be an attempt to take advantage of its momentum.
"This year we have continued to accompany the companies in the sector in their singularity towards a more innovative and respectful navigation with the marine environment", pointed out the director of Saló Nàutic, 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 engines, which are more respectful of the environment. It was also possible to learn about digitalization and innovation alternatives. These are trends that are recurrent in the last editions of the fair specialized in boats and services for the maritime sector.
Another of the trends that have been observed has been the boom in boat rental, which has become one of the great gateways to the nautical sector. According to Anen, four out of ten boats currently sold in Spain end up destined for this area, which was represented at the show with several companies.
