Full success for the Cannes Yachting Festival 2022. On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the event, over 650 boats and 135 world premieres were present, alongside the latest nautical equipment and numerous innovations
“The 2022 edition will remain memorable in many respects, not only because we celebrated 45 years of the show but above all because we achieved our ambitious target of exceeding the results of the 2019 pre-covid edition. These excellent results echo the latest figures provided by the Federation of Nautical Industries on 31 August on the boating industry’s recovery thanks to well-oriented order books. Beyond the results, since the very first days of the show, we have received a lot of satisfied feedback from our 600 exhibitors who are enthusiastic about the quality of the visitors, the good sales trend and the splendid weather. The situation is favourable! We are proud and happy with these results,’ explains Sylvie Ernoult, Yachting Festival Director.
Devoted 100% to the protagonists of the motorboat industry with some 500 units from 5 to 48 metres, the Vieux Port welcomed, for the second year, a space dedicated to 100% electric boats with a dozen units signed Edorado, FinX, Pinball boat, Eco-inspiration or even X-Shore…, as well as a marina for motor multihulls.
The spaces on land were occupied by ‘toys’, nautical toys, indispensable accessories for large yachts, and which continue to evolve towards more designer, more sporty, more technical and more eco-responsible products.
The rehearsal area located off the tour route has been upgraded. This space facilitates sea trials and protects the hall by reducing maritime traffic within the harbour.
Also at the Vieux Port, inside the Palais des Festivals, the Luxury Gallery brought together an exclusive selection of brands, both famous and more niche, presenting high-end objects and services.
Inside the sailing space was the ‘Innovation Village’, showcasing ‘smart’ start-ups in the nautical sector, from boat design to connecting owners with captains.
At the other end of the Croisette, the new sailboats were moored at Port Canto, for the third edition, in a dedicated space that brought together 116 new vessels from 10 to 33 metres, 19 of which were presented as world premieres. A magical setting for a unique “sailing” atmosphere with masts pointing high into the sky, accompanied by the sound of shrouds, flags and grand decks swelling in the wind
On the other side of Port Canto, visitors could admire and visit 36 second-hand yachts available for sale or charter, including three large sailing yachts. The ‘Yacht Brokerage’ space hosted this year’s largest unit at the show, with an exceptional length of 73 metres.
Boating and respect for the environment, a ‘green’ pathway
Pleasure boating does not escape ecological awareness. Reconciling boating and respect for the environment: that is tomorrow’s challenge. For many years, marinas, the boating industry, as well as professionals and users have been becoming aware of the impact of their activities on the planet and working to improve their respect for the environment. To enable visitors to learn more about this eco-responsible transition, the show proposed a ‘green’ itinerary highlighting 60 exhibitors presenting an environmentally-friendly concept.
The Yachting Festival, guided by the policy of RX, the organiser of the French kermesse, has committed itself to an ecological transition by improving its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, policy with the implementation of new actions to reduce the environmental impact of its event-related activities. Many documents, usually printed, have been digitised. Recycled and/or recyclable materials were used in the furniture of the Press Villages, in the carpets of the avenues and stands, and in most of the signage at the exhibition. Show caterers, suppliers and exhibitors also made their contribution.
How Europe’s largest boat show began
Mayor David Lisnard inaugurated the Yachting Festival in the presence of Alexandra Martin, Departmental Councillor, Hugh Jones and Michel Filzi, respectively President of RX Global and RX France, and Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Yachting Festival, Gérard Lachkar, Vice-President of the Federation of Nautical Industries, and numerous dignitaries. After the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Mayor went to meet the exhibitors at the Vieux Port.
During the festivities, as it does every year, the Yachting Festival renewed its support for the Société Nationale des Sauveteurs en Mer and handed over a cheque for €5,000 to the representatives of the Cannes garrison.
To thank its exhibitors and partners, and to allow the inhabitants of Cannes to share in the magic of the Yachting Festival, a spectacular aerial show of 400 drones lit up the skies of Cannes for 15 minutes, highlighting four unmissable locations in the city and illustrating the Yachting Festival. This unique show, which generates no noise pollution or waste on the sea space, was highly appreciated by the show’s exhibitors for its beauty and originality.
The Cannes Yachting Festival 2022
in figures
VISITORS
54,000 visitors
BOATS
over 650
– 119 sailing boats
– 535 motor boats
– At the Vieux Port: 502
of which 393 at sea and 109 on land
– At Port Canto: 152
EXHIBITORS
600
SAVE THE DATE 2023 – The next edition of the Yachting Festival will be held from Tuesday 12 to Sunday 17 September 2023.
(45th Cannes Yachting Festival: six exceptional days – Barchemagazine.com – September 2022)
