During the Genoa International Boat Show, EBI, in collaboration with Confindustria Nautica, hosted the second edition of European Sustainable Boating Roundtable. This high-level panel brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the future of sustainable nautical tourism under the theme “Achieving Greener Boating and Nautical Tourism by 2030.”

The event opened with remarks from Piero Formenti, Vice President of Confindustria Nautica and Vice-Chair of EBI, followed by a keynote from MEP Daniel Attard, who emphasised the vital role of the boating industry in supporting island and coastal economies. Attard noted, “Boats are the very lifeline of island economies like ours. The European boating industry is truly a global leader, producing 66,000 new recreational boats annually and directly employing over 280,000 people across the continent.” He stressed that the green transition in the industry must be driven by both innovation and practical, supportive regulations.

Sofía Gutiérrez, Deputy Director of the Sustainable Development of Tourism Department at UN Tourism, provided global insights on sustainable nautical tourism. She highlighted the importance of decarbonising tourism, stating that it is no longer a choice but a necessity. Gutiérrez further pointed out the potential of tourism to drive economic growth while protecting biodiversity, emphasising initiatives such as the Glasgow Declaration and the Nature Positive Tourism Partnership.

The roundtable also included valuable insights from industry leaders. Olivier Bougan from the Fédération des Industries Nautiques stressed the importance of support for circularity projects like the Blue Boat Horizon (LCA Project), supporting the industry's shift toward sustainability. Hans Roelants from Brunswick discussed the need for realistic sustainability goals, highlighting the alignment of industry and policy to achieve meaningful change. Areti Priovolou from D-Marin explained that marinas are ready for the green shift but are awaiting the wider adoption of new technologies to fully adapt to the changing landscape.

The event concluded with a presentation by Robert Marx, President of EBI, outlining EBI’s 2024-2029 priorities for a more sustainable boating industry in Europe. Marx highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration between industry and policy-makers to advance sustainability, innovation, and economic growth in the nautical sector.