Keynote speaker Giovanna Vitelli leading the line-up of exciting speakers

EBI, in collaboration with boot Düsseldorf, is excited to announce the upcoming Breakfast Meeting 2024, set to be a crucial event, reuniting industry leaders and stakeholders. The theme for 2024 is on the new generation of leaders and new investment with its impact of a changing strategic direction for the industry. The opening keynote will be given by Giovanna Vitelli, Chair of the Azimut|Benetti Group. Scheduled for Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, the event will take place at the Congress Center Düsseldorf, CCD Süd, Room 3, during the boot Düsseldorf 2024.Under the theme "New Generation of Leaders and New Investment –
A Changing Strategic Direction for the Industry," the Breakfast Meeting will provide a platform for the new generation of leaders to address the challenges, opportunities, and innovations within the boating and yachting sector. It will provide unique insight into how they look at the direction of the industry and plan to shape it.

Giovanna Vitelli, Chair of Azimut|Benetti Group, renowned for her remarkable journey in the yachting industry, will take centre stage as the keynote speaker. A prominent figure in the industry, her participation promises inspiration and her view of the industry’s pathway. Her dynamic career path and invaluable experiences make her a standout speaker at the Breakfast meeting.

Following Giovanna Vitelli's keynote address, a panel of new-generation industry leaders will participate in a thought-provoking discussion. This esteemed panel includes Ana Čalić, Marketing & Business Development at distributor Navela and Founder of the platform for young people Misli More, Furkan Çarkçı of distributor Çarkçı Denizcilik, Maarten Desloovere of Marina Nieuwpoort, Markus Boesch of Boesch Boats and Gabbi Richardson of start-up network Yachting Ventures.

Admission to the International Breakfast Meeting opens at 8:15 AM, and the event commences at 9:00 AM at the Congress Center Düsseldorf, CCD Süd, Room 3. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to gain insights, network with industry leaders, and drive innovation in the maritime sector.

Registration and more information can be found at: International Breakfast Meeting (boot.com)

Join us during the Online Workshop of EnviroNaut EU, with the title: Sustainable Nautical Tourism / Testing the Environmental Officer course

ONLINE: Register here: https://t.ly/e1PAr
22nd November 2023, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM CET

The workshop will introduce you to the curriculum and course for the position of “Environmental Officer” for staff working in marinas, charter companies, and maintenance and repair companies. This is an opportunity to guide the development of this new tool to develop employees’ skill set to advance sustainable nautical tourism and reduce the environmental footprint of businesses. During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to test the course and provide feedback.

Do not hesitate to share this Workshop with your network.

ANEN introduces the 11th edition of the Nautical Congress. This event will facilitate discussions on the industry's pressing topics as we approach 2024. The congress will feature presentations, analyses, reflections, and actionable insights. The 11th Nautical Congress is scheduled for March 7th and 8th, 2024, at the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao, Spain.

More information: https://congresonautico.com/

In a significant development for the boating industry and EU as a whole, the EU’s statistical authority Eurostat has published latest data for 2022. Within the sporting goods segment, 'boats and water sport equipment' category was at the forefront,

Source dataset: sprt_trd_prd

accounting for 28.2% of the total export value. This achievement underscores the robust international trade relationships Europe has fostered in the boating industry, highlighting the significance of recreational boats #MadeInEurope.

In 2022, extra-EU exports of sporting goods reached €7.5 billion, marking a 10.9% increase from 2021. The three most exported sporting goods categories were 'boats and water sport equipment,' 'gymnastic, athletic and swimming equipment,' and 'sports footwear,' together accounting for 62.4% of the value of sporting goods exported outside the EU, with 'boats and water sport equipment' taking the lead with 28.2%, underlining the strong European presence in the global boating industry.

More information can be found here.

The European Drought Risk Atlas is an initiative that provides a comprehensive assessment and mapping of drought risks and impacts in the European Union (EU) under different global warming scenarios of 1.5, 2, and 3 degrees. Droughts have posed significant challenges in recent years, affecting various regions across the EU. The complexity of drought events, which develop gradually, occur outside of seasonal patterns, and can persist for extended periods, has made their assessment and prediction difficult. Especially for inland regions with a strong boating and nautical tourism industry presence, these developments should be closely monitored and planning put in place.

This Atlas, developed through a combination of expert knowledge and machine learning, offers a detailed view of the risks associated with droughts in the EU, along with their underlying drivers. It aims to support the development and implementation of drought management and adaptation policies and actions across the EU. 

The Atlas reveals that current drought risk levels are notably high, with annual losses impacting both the economy and the environment. The frequency of droughts is increasing, which narrows the window for recovery, resulting in more severe consequences. Climate change has already led to more intense and persistent meteorological droughts in southern Europe, and further global warming is expected to increase the frequency and severity of droughts across almost all EU regions. 

The assessment focuses on five sectors and systems: agricultural crop systems, public water supply, energy production, river transportation, and ecosystems. The Mediterranean region, particularly the Iberian Peninsula, is most at risk due to increasing dry conditions caused by global warming. Northern regions may experience more diverse and variable effects, while eastern and western Europe face complex dynamics related to drying, wetting, and precipitation variability. 

More information can be found here.

The European Union has conducted a comprehensive study focusing on the implementation and enforcement of the Package Travel Directive (PTD) within the EU, with a specific emphasis on ten selected Member States.

The Package Travel Directive (PTD) defines "package travel" as the bundling of at least two distinct travel services (e.g., transportation, accommodation) into a single, all-inclusive package, sold for an overall price, and covering a duration of more than 24 hours or including an overnight stay. Additionally, depending on the specific product, certain tourism services, including some nautical activities, may also fall within the scope of the PTD if they meet the criteria of combining multiple travel services into a pre-arranged package. This directive is designed to ensure that consumers receive protection and clear rights when purchasing such package travel arrangements and guarantees remedies in case of travel-related issues or disruptions.

The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the PTD, identify areas for improvement, and highlight best practices. The key findings and recommendations from this important study are

Realigning Definitions for Modern Travel: One crucial aspect highlighted in the study is the need to update the definitions of package travel services and linked travel agreements (LTAs). The modern travel industry, with its digital platforms and involvement of multiple intermediaries, requires a more precise definition that aligns with the evolving landscape. 

Pre-Contractual Information and Consumer Protection: The study emphasizes the importance of providing consumers with comprehensive pre-contractual information. This includes the introduction of 'Key Information Documents,' visual aids, and infographics to enhance transparency and help consumers make informed decisions. Such measures can significantly improve consumer protection. 

Rethinking the Full Pre-Payment Business Model: Concerns regarding full pre-payment by consumers in the travel industry have been addressed. The study suggests exploring alternative payment structures that can safeguard consumers in cases of service disruption, cancellations, or the insolvency of travel providers. Balancing the needs of travel providers and consumer interests is key to promoting fair and transparent payment practices. 

Digital Challenges and Transparency: Digital platforms pose a unique set of challenges in implementing the PTD. These include issues related to transparency, user reviews, data protection, liability allocation, and cross-border compliance. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure a level playing field in the digital travel environment. 

Enforcement Mechanisms and Protecting Travelers' Rights: Effective enforcement of the PTD is vital for protecting travellers' rights. The study identifies the roles of national consumer protection authorities, private enforcement, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in upholding travellers' rights. Enhancing ADR mechanisms, including mandatory and specialized ADR, can improve traveller protection, especially in cases involving online travel agencies (OTAs) and intermediaries. 

Understanding the Economic Impact: The study also evaluates the economic impact of the PTD on package travel prices. It considers factors influenced by the directive, the impact of digitalization on the market, and trends in the package travel industry. This analysis provides valuable insights into the relationship between the PTD and consumer costs. 

Empowering Consumers with Knowledge: Consumer awareness of their rights under the PTD is fundamental to effective consumer protection. The study evaluates general consumer awareness and specific knowledge regarding different rights and obligations granted by the PTD. Identifying gaps and areas for improvement ensures that consumers can effectively exercise their rights. 

In conclusion, the EU's comprehensive study on the Package Travel Directive in the selected Member States aims to enhance the performance of the PTD, improve consumer protection, and foster a consumer-friendly package travel market within the EU. The findings and recommendations from this study provide a roadmap for policymakers and stakeholders to create a more transparent, secure, and consumer-oriented travel environment in the EU. 

To read the report, find the link here.

The ICOMIA 2023 Smart Marinas Conference, hosted by the Portuguese Association of Ports and Marinas (APPR) shed light on a number of key topics for the marina and boating industry. At the event taking place in Marina Vilamoura, Portugal, EBI's Secretary-General Philip Easthill spoke on a panel on the framework for developing ‘smart marinas. He underlined the European Commission’s focus on the tourism sector and the ongoing initiatives, notably the Tourism Transition Pathway and the Tourism Data Space, and their potential to reshape the industry. These initiatives are set to foster marina digitalization and seamless integration with the broader tourism ecosystem, making the nautical tourism sector more appealing and sustainable for consumers.

With over 400 participants, the conference served as a platform for industry leaders to gain invaluable insights into the future of smart marinas.  

More information can be found here.

The island of Gran Canaria recently played host to the launch of the TWINNEDbySTARS project, an initiative that seeks to transform European Outermost Regions into internationally recognised maritime ecotourism destinations. EBI is a member of the consortium that has received the go-ahead and funding of the European Commission to implement the project.

This endeavour is designed to harness the benefits of tourism for marine biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. The kick-off meeting took place at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Subsequently, a public official presentation, open to the local stakeholders and policy makers, was organised at the facilities of the Canarian Latin Sailing Federation.

The TWINNEDbySTARS project is spearheaded by the TIDES Institute of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The consortium is composed of 9 strategic partners specifically from four EU Outermost Regions (Azores, Canary Islands, Martinique, and Madeira), and EBI as expert partner representing the industry. The project builds on the success of previous interregional cooperation projects and networks promoted in the Macaronesian region. Building on this experience and promoting the involvement of local communities, TWINNEDbySTARS will develop and pilot transformational marine and coastal ecotourism products. Onboard marine environmental education, navigation, respectful sighting, and starlight attributes are examples of good practices that will be considered for the ideation of the project’s innovative ecotourism products.  

In a second stage of the project, a capacity building programme will be also carefully designed to increase awareness and provide tourism firms and other relevant stakeholders with tools to accelerate digital and ecological transition and to identify opportunities for open and social innovation with actors from other European Outermost Regions. Furthermore, the consortium will analyse the available coastal and maritime tourism products and development sites in the four project regions. This data will be processed to design and implement the co-creation workshops on tourism products to be tested with real costumers.

Overall, the project will increase the competitiveness of the maritime tourism sector in Outermost Regions while contributing to protect marine biodiversity, preserving the cultural heritage. To implement its activities, TWINNEDbySTARS has received European support, of nearly 1 million euros through the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund. 

For further information and updates, you can follow TWINNEDbySTARS on their social media platforms:  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/twinned-by-stars/  

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwinnedbyStars  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twinnedbystars  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twinnedbystars/