Italian leisure boating faces decline in small vessels amid luxury yacht growth

The Italian leisure boating sector is experiencing a significant decline in smaller vessels, according to data from the Lega Navale Italiana. Between 2015 and 2024, registered leisure units fell by 22%, with small boats (natanti) seeing the sharpest drop of 35.7%. High costs are cited as a primary barrier; for a 14-meter unit, annual costs for registration, mooring, and docking in Italy average approximately 9,500 euros, significantly higher than the 6,000 euros in Croatia or 5,000 euros in Greece.

While the small boating segment struggles, the luxury yacht market shows strength. Data from the Genoa International Boat Show indicates growth in the large vessel segment, specifically for boats between 35 and 50 meters. Claudio Guarascio, President of the Associazione Costruttori Nautici dei Due Mari, has urged the Calabria region to capitalize on this trend by investing in high-quality nautical tourism, efficient ports, and advanced services to attract the luxury market.