From 8 to 16 December, the marine community once again set a course for the Porte de Versailles in Paris. Despite a difficult context, the Nautic recorded nearly 204,000 entries.
The Commissioner of the show, Alain Pichavant observes “a slight decline compared with last year” but recognises the fact that “it remains very positive given the context. Traditionally, two-thirds of visitors come from the provinces. The ‘gilets jaunes’ movement as well as the two Saturdays punctuated by violence in the capital obviously had an impact on the number of entries, but the Nautic is able to resist and still ranks among France’s top shows”.
The show is a reflection of the dynamism of the market
Yacht sales have progressed, supported by the arrival on the market of increasingly affordable boats. Motor boats have also seen a great deal of activity and still represent the majority of the business transactions at the show. The Hall for the equipment manufacturers remains an unmissable highlight for those in the marine world.
The sociology of those in the marine world is evolving, as is the Nautic.
The boardsports sector is still proving to be very innovative. The Nautic has been an opportunity to observe the progress made with the new forms of usage and chartering packages, from offers of cabins, to Boat Clubs and sharing schemes. The supply of electric products really stood out, doubling the surface area it takes up every year. The first global network for the dismantling of boats at the end of their life was launched during the show. Meanwhile, digitalisation and respect for the environment lay at the heart of the 7 projects taking part in the hackathon brainstorming regarding tomorrow’s water sports centre.
“French boating is continuing its transition. Professionals are adapting themselves in order to satisfy the demand of those in the domain, who want to enjoy an experience that respects the natural environment”, explains Yves Lyon-Caen, President of the Nautic.
The marine sector carries 15% of the weight of the blue economy
On an institutional level, there were visits from 4 members of the government at the Nautic, together with numerous public and private decision-makers. The sector has been valued at carrying 15% of the total weight of France’s blue economy according to the French marine cluster. “On the initiative of the Federation of Nautical Industries (FIN), studies into the economic impact of boating are currently underway across virtually the whole of France’s coastline. Meantime, a second study was made public for the Pays de Loire Region at the Nautic. It notes a turnover of 1,152 billion and 6,100 employees. “We estimate that the weight of the direct and indirect economic benefits will be 15 billion Euros for a labour volume of between 120,000 and 140,000 employees”, points out Fabien Métayer, CEO of the FIN.
The Nautic 2019 will run from 7 to 15 December at the Porte de Versailles. The organisers are already working on a more international vintage, with new spaces inclined to reflect marine diversity and experiential entertainment.
The Nautic and its sun-kissed destinations
The winter gloom is all but forgotten with sun-kissed destinations. From Tahiti, to Venice, via the British Virgin Islands, the Antilles archipelago or Malta, each year the Nautic offers a wealth of ideas for sunny stays or weekends beside the sea.
“A world away just minutes from Venice” is the invitation offered up by the small Italian island of Certosa. This little diamond set on the Venetian lagoon features a 300-berth marina for boats measuring 6 to 60 metres in length, a hotel, a shipyard and the Vento di Venezia marine cluster. Prices start at 52 Euros taking off from Paris by plane http://www.ventodivenezia.it
Moorea, Bora Bora, Maupiti… Tahiti and its islands invite you to discover their treasures. With an atoll here and a sparkling lagoon there, it’s a festival of colour. Bathed in the light of tropical days, all that’s missing from these small chunks of aromatic paradise, fashioned by the sea and the winds, is you. Mãnava! Welcome! www.tahiti-tourisme.pf
Binvinuta in Corsica! Corsica, which welcomes nearly 3-million tourists a year, is keen to reveal to visitors the true extent of the beauty of its island. Everything is geared up to make it easy for you to get around there: from the union of Corsican marinas who list all their ports and their accommodation offers, to catamaran and yacht charterers, which notably saw Corsazur Marine take the prize for Best Charterer of 2018 within the Nautic! Just 90 minutes from Paris, Corsica is the perfect sea and mountain retreat. https://www.visit-corsica.com
A new exhibitor at this year’s Nautic, the British Virgin Islands really have it all. Her Majesty’s overseas territory is a dream location at the water’s edge. Featuring around sixty heavenly islands, white sand and coconut palms… today this former refuge for pirates and corsairs is an absolute must for yachting, diving and other watersports activities, all served up at a virtually constant temperature of 29°. www.bvitourism.com
Fotografias: © Raoul Dobremel / Nautic
