Boating vacations: where did Italians go in 2024?

In 2024, the boating vacation sector showed a positive trend, with growing interest among Italian customers in chartering sailboats, catamarans and yachts. Despite difficulties related to inflation and not always favorable weather conditions, the end-of-season balance was overall very encouraging. We analyze thanks to the numbers of GlobeSailor – site that offers sailing vacations in more than 180 destinations around the world – the results of the past year, with a look at the outlook for 2025.

Increase in early booking and last minute bookings

The first quarter of 2024 saw a sharp increase in early bird bookings of 46 percent, boosted by competitive discounts and a wide range of available boat models. Many companies offered favorable prices for early bird bookings, which helped counter the price increase in the industry after the pandemic. However, the month of June was rather weak, aided by political uncertainty and the effect of the European elections, but also an increase in flight prices on some destinations. Subsequently, the market recovered in the summer period with many last-minute bookings, 30 percent more than in 2023, leading renters to consider more nearby destinations, thus staying in Italy or, for example, opting for nearby Croatia.

What are the favorite destinations of Italians

In 2024, Italians’ most popular destinations for boating vacations reconfirmed following the trend of recent years:Italy, Greece, and Croatia. Although Italy remains the most popular destination, it saw a slight decrease of 14 percent in number of bookings, suggesting a saturation or increasing preference for international destinations. Greece in particular stood out with a significant increase in bookings over last year: a remarkable +25% in number of bookings and also a +30% growth in average customer spend. This trend is attributed to a combination of competitive offers and a growing popularity of this destination that has so much to offer. Croatia also experienced a slight decline in bookings, making it a less enticing destination than in previous years, no doubt due in part to the euro changeover and the considerable increase in marina costs.

The Caribbean and Turkey, although still niche markets for Italian tourists, showed significant growth in bookings and revenue, with the Caribbean confirming itself as a growing luxury destination, especially in the months when the weather is less favorable for sailing in the Mediterranean. Finally, Spain, particularly in the Balearic area, performed well, despite a slight drop in revenue compared to 2023.

What about favorite destinations in Italy?

Among the most popular Italian destinations in 2024 were Sardinia (+5%) and Sicily (+9%). Especially the first destination registered a significant increase in bookings for luxury catamarans with crew consisting of skipper, hostess and cook. This is also confirmed by Stefano Pizzi, CEO & Founder of Spartivento Group, a partner of GlobeSailor, which among its various offers also proposes the luxury service: “The SAILUXE brand is today our flagship because it aims to pamper our guests at 360°: in addition to the ‘classic’ captain, hostesses and chefs from the prestigious Gambero Rosso Academy are embarked on the catamarans, to make them live a five-star experience made of sea, sun, relaxation, small attentions and great cuisine.” Overall, average spending by Italians has increased by about 20 percent in the past two years, from €621 to €748 per person.

Cabin boarding: an increasingly popular formula in Italy

The formula of organized cruises with cabin boarding is increasingly attracting a clientele of sea lovers looking for new experiences. No boat license is required, nor any expertise, and it is the perfect opportunity to initiate oneself into the pleasure of sailing while being pampered by a professional crew and meeting new potential friends. Once again this year, the Italian market ranks second, after France, in terms of the number of cabins booked, with a 12 percent growth over 2023. Among the most popular destinations are definitely the paradisiacal islands of the Caribbean and Greece.

Outlook for 2025

Despite some downturns, forecasts for 2025 remain positive and promising, with a possible stabilization of the market and increased demand for luxury charters with skippers on board. Steady growth is expected, driven by a wealthy clientele and a growing interest in customized vacations in large catamarans and yachts with premium services attached. In general, more than an increase in booking volume is expected, driven by a clientele less sensitive to economic fluctuations and interest rates. This segment of customers, often novices and more discerning, are attracted to more spacious vessels such as catamarans, and prefer to include the service of a skipper and often a hostess as well.

*Editorial in collaboration with Globesailor