The organisers of the Barcelona International Boat Show (Salón Náutico) are hoping that the America’s Cup, due to be held in the Spanish city in two years’ time, will give a major boost to the event and the leisure marine economy of the city in general.
In a presentation for the 60th edition of the show, scheduled for 12-16 October 2022, Salón Náutico president Luis Conde said: “The America’s Cup will be the bomb. It will give us a lot of life. Nautical tourism will grow and the same thing will happen as with the Tour de France: people see it and want to change bikes.”
The 37th America’s Cup is to be held in Barcelona in 2024 and the Náutico show management are already talking with the institutions involved in order to have related content at this year’s show. The management team expects the 37th AC to give a big boost to the maritime sector in general and also for their show.
There are still two editions of Náutico prior to the 37th America’s Cup. The next one , to be held in October this year is expected to have 200 exhibitors and 700 boats. Approximately 200 of them will be in the water. This is the largest floating show in recent years. Once again, both national and international brands will be on show. They estimate that some 50,000 people will attend the event.
The 60th edition will expand by adding the Marina Port Vell to the traditional Moll de La Fusta and España. “We are adding new space with the aim of continuing to be the largest commercial showcase for the Spanish nautical industry, contributing to the growth of the sector,” said Conde.
A new feature for the Náutico will be the Innovation Dock: a space located on the La Fusta dock that will serve to exhibit new innovative projects developed by 15 start-up companies that will present new innovations such as an electric boat and another powered by hydrogen.
Another new feature will be virtual talks and conferences which will be delivered by a new Náutico podcast: a television programme that will be broadcast on Movistar+’s NauticalChannel, and a blog. The objective of all this is to generate content throughout the year, broadening the market period for the show.
