Italy’s hidden treasure we have it. It is nautical tourism

Speaking of nautical tourism and the economic possibilities it could (and should) give to our country, the term “Italy’s oil” has often been used over the years.

Nautical tourism, a real “Petroleum”

An endless oil field that could turn us into the Florida of Europe, implying that the U.S. state is a favorite destination for a large portion of U.S. vacationers and particularly those with greater spending power.

And Italy should precisely become a prime destination for high-spending tourism, as it is mainly foreign tourism, though not only of course.

In a comparison with the other 27 countries of the European Union-some of which are strong competitors especially in the field of nautical tourism-Italy ranked third in the number of foreign presences, behind only France and Spain, and by a very narrow margin.

Added to this is the fact that Italy is permanently in the top three places of the world’s most desired countries, in many different meanings. Indeed, if made in Italy – made up of fashion, motors and especially food – dominates the luxury sector, it should not be forgotten that along the more than 8,000 kilometers of Italian coastline are the most iconic seaside resorts in the Mediterranean.

What does nautical tourism give today?

Our estimate, made by cross-referencing the most reliable statistical indicators (Enit, Istat, Unwto and Confindustria Nautica among the main ones) tells us that in 2023, spending on the national territory brought by nautical tourists (sailing and motor) will reach 3 billion euros.

Since it excludes expenses inherent to the boat, such as repairs, maintenance, mooring, and transportation to the boat. If, on the other hand, direct expenditures made during tourist boat use are added to the 3 billion, the figure doubles to 6 billion for the tourist year 2023 alone.

A figure that may seem sizeable already but should be put into context, however, by relating it, for example, to the turnover of the nautical’s competing tourism sectors.

Nautical tourists spend more

Then looking at the corresponding value but expressed by tourists in the “plein air” segment (RVs, etc.) reveals that it is very similar, again around 6 billion euros. But with one difference, attendance: while nautical tourists are about 3 million people a year, plein air tourists are almost double that, 5 million.

Here, then, it is immediately understood how the tourist spending capacity of those who go by sea is double: and is quantified on average in fact as 146 euros per day, compared to 85 euros for plein air. It follows that growing nautical tourism in Italy would make precisely the sense of extracting that oil hidden beneath our Peninsula.

But how? Meanwhile, according to statistical analysts, the growth of this tourism over the next ten years is expected to travel at a rate of +3.8 percent per year for the next ten years, or +43 percent total which would bring total spending from 6 to 8.6 billion euros.

Not bad some will say, but in reality it could be done much better. Unfortunately, in Italy today it is a mixture of “I would like to but I can’t,” great difficulties in infrastructure (just think of the enormous limitations of the high-speed rail network that is almost totally lacking along the Adriatic ridge and in the islands, and the capillarity problems of air transport), chronic lack of services to businesses in the sector, and backwardness in digitalization at all levels.

Nautical tourism, a proposal to grow

Yet little would suffice to increase the appeal and consequently the turnover much to the delight not only of the operators but of the entire tourist industry, of which so many items of expenditure, from catering to shopping, are part.

In fact, with a national plan to reform and improve the nautical tourism-related world, it is estimated that that 43 percent growth in sales in ten years could easily reach +70 percent, bringing total turnover from 6 (2023) to 10.2 billion (2033). Thus bringing the sector to an annual growth of 5 percent and reaching a total of 28.4 million more admissions/day than in 2023.

• What are the steps to be taken? Read more here.

Lack of a regulatory cabinet for nautical tourism

What is lacking at the moment, however, is a “control room”: as in the most classic Italian tradition, even in nautical tourism everyone does for himself: whether it is national institutions, regions (which have the delegation of tourism by the Constitution), private individuals and companies and associations in the sector. First precisely to find a direction-we have finally for some years now a Ministry of Tourism that could launch a Strategic Plan also declined on the world of the sea-and then above all to define an Italian way to the development of nautical tourism.

In short, our drill to reach our famous oil. Starting then with what are the most urgent interventions for a hypothetical plan in favor of nautical tourism, and therefore first and foremost with an adjustment of the facilities of public marinas and concessions to private individuals of floating docks/pontoons.

Following this, it would be equally important to work on facilitating the development and adjustment of existing marinas and marinas by simplifying and homogenizing bureaucratic procedures. And again, free zones for nautical tourism could be created-as is the case in the competitor countries of nautical tourism, Croatia but not only there- free zones for nautical tourism in the 32 marine protected areas.

Certainly not by destroying them, but by making them visitable, with strict rules and, above all, for a fee so as to self-finance the very activities and facilities to be created. Even more important then to finally standardize along all coasts the regulations for recreational boating (such as the distance from the coast to anchor). Today, each area has its own particular regulations, but how can a “poor” foreign tourist often get his bearings? The list is even longer and could also include real incentives to individuals and businesses, such as subsidized financing to those opening nautical tourism businesses.

If anyone wants to start this path and begin with us to “dig in” we are available.