On Wednesday, June 13th, during the 2018 SATEC Convention in Rapallo, Ucina held a talk titled “Landscapes for the boating economy, the industry’s best course”.
The talk, to which more than 120 guests took part, addressed issues related to market prospects for the marine industry, as well as tailored investment plans by the European Union for the boating industry, the development of large yachts, revamping the boat leasing.
Alessandro Plateroti, Vice Editor-in-Chief of the Sole24Ore, provided an expert insight into the political and economic landscapes in Italy and Europe. “Today we are witnessing a fragmentation of global order. The political factor is key, long gone are the times when one voice regulated world trade and political relationships. The USA is undergoing a significant change: Trump is showing just how much a country’s relative weight can make a difference when strength and economic and financial power are tied to social integration a country can dictate the guidelines for the development of others. Europe is, on the other hand, lacking in its unity, so we are very happy to hear proposals from EBI and UCINA to keep the boating sector out of the trade war”.
Piero Formenti, vice president of UCINA and president of EBI – European Boating Industry, explained the actions taken so far with regards to the president Antonio Tajani and all members of the Italian parliament in Strasbourg, finding aid from other European sector Associations supporting UCINA’s initiative.
Andrea Bianchi, Director of the Industrial policies department, outlined the proposals by Confindustria for industry policies and the resulting opportunities for the boating sector. “Our incentive and support system for companies is highly detailed, we must strengthen communication to ensure UCINA members are able to understand and access the tools which are currently available. We need to work towards plan 4.0 for businesses and go back to focusing on supporting investment”.
Concerning the Italian leisure boating industry, Carla Demaria, President of UCINA, stated that “current trends are positive and the industry’s revival is solid. The context surrounding us is undoubtedly favourable: among our competitors, France, Spain, Greece and Croatia, have introduced penalties which more than ever benefit Italy. When it comes to boat leasing Italy has access to the most secure and reliable system. Europe has initiated infraction procedures for a while now in leasing and hiring with regards to Malta, Cyprus and Greece, while Italy was contacted merely for information for the European Commission regarding hiring and the application of tax exemptions. UCINA was called upon by the Ministry for Economy and Finance to provide a series of technical elements to complete Italy’s response to the European Commission. This is yet another concrete demonstration of these institutions’ and of UCINA’s role in supporting the entire industry”.
Enrico Duranti, President of Assilea, the Italian Association for leasing, confirmed a growing trend in the boat leasing sector (+58% in 2017) which has been consolidated in 2018: “Over the first 5 months of this year, we have witnessed a +29% growth compared to the same period of the previous year. Examining financial investment reservations, it emerges that 95% of such investments are aimed at benefitting the central and northern areas of Italy, showing a clear division within the country”.
With the entry into force of a new Nautical Code and the tightening of tax policies in other countries, new opportunities are available for the large yacht industry in Italy. Alex Mazzoni, CEO of SOS Yachting, an independent company dealing with charter-related issues, operating in Viareggio, Rijeka, Palma de Mallorca and Nice, stated: “Italy is currently the Mediterranean’s number one tourist destination and the most secure and reliable place from a regulatory and tax-related standpoint for the charter market which, not without reason, in 2017 overtook the French market”.
Another sector witnessing a strong development and state-of-the-art innovation in new distribution channels and financial solutions research is that of car rentals, which opens new economic landscapes and opportunities, soon to be implemented by the leisure sector as well.
“I believe that the long-term hiring model over the next few years could be a more popular model for boating and more adequate for family needs” – added Paolo Ghinolfi, CEO of Sifà – BPER Group, Italy’s new source of tailored plans for personalised mobility. “Here’s a statistic everyone can appreciate: for long-term hiring in 1995, 5000 cars were registered. In 2017 that number was over 350,000. This transformation, which is also a cultural shift, from purchase to use brings with it a series of technological innovations such as digitalisation, use of apps, preventive maintenance and an organisation which is witnessing a trade network increasingly adapted to post-sale assistance”.
Source: Ucina
