CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL 2022: AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS FOR THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF EUROPE’S LARGEST IN-WATER BOAT SHOW

The Cannes Yachting Festival closed on Sunday 11 September after 6 exceptional days. For its 45th anniversary, almost 650 boats (monohull and multihull, motor and sailing boats) including the finest gems of the seas and 135 world debuts, as well as the latest nautical equipment and numerous innovations, were revealed for 54,000 French and international visitors to enjoy under the sun of the French Riviera.

“In many ways 2022 will remain unforgettable, not only because we celebrated the 45th anniversary of the festival but mainly because we reached our ambitious objective which was to exceed the results of the 2019 edition prior to Covid. These very good results echo the latest figures provided by the French Nautical Industries Federation (F.I.N.) on 31 August on the boating industry which has brightened up thanks to order books filling up. Beyond the results, from the first days of the festival we heard lots of feedback from our 600 exhibitors as to how satisfied they were and delighted with the visitor quality, positive sales and wonderful weather. All the indicators were green! We are proud of and happy with these results,” explains Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival.

EACH PORT HAS ITS OWN ACTIVITY SECTOR AND NEW PRODUCTS The Vieux Port is entirely devoted to those in the motor boat industry with about 500 5- to 48-metre boats, and for the second year accommodated an area dedicated to fully electric boats with a dozen boats by Edorado, FinX, Pinball boat, Eco-inspiration or X-Shore…, as well as a marina for multihull motor boats.

The trial area (located outside the visit circuit) was also reinforced. This area facilitates sea trials and makes the festival safe by reducing maritime traffic inside the port. Remaining in the Vieux Port, inside the Palais, the Luxury Gallery brought together an exclusive selection of famous and more exclusive brands presenting beautiful objects and high-end services.

At the other end of the Croisette, the new sailing boats were moored in Port Canto for the third edition, in a dedicated area, which brought together 116 10- to 33-metre boats, including 19 presented as world previews. It is a magical setting for a unique “sailing” ambiance with masts reaching skywards and the noise of the guys, flags and colours snapping in the wind.

The “Innovation Village” was installed in the sailing area, in partnership with Mer Angels and BNP Paribas Banque Privée, to showcase “intelligent” start-ups in the nautical sector that cover boat design to putting owners in contact with captains.

On the other side of Port Canto, visitors were able to admire and visit 36 previously-owned yachts for sale or hire, including 3 large sailboats. This year the Yacht Brokerage area accommodated the biggest boat at the Festival with an exceptional length of 73m.

The spaces on land were occupied by the nautical toys that have become must-have accessories for the biggest yachts and that are constantly developing towards products that have heightened design, and are more sporty, technical and eco-responsible.

GREEN ROUTE: A GREEN ROUTE FROM ONE END OF THE CROISETTE TO THE OTHER The yachting industry has not escaped ecological awareness. Reconciling nautical activities with respecting the environment is tomorrow’s challenge. For several years now, marinas and the nautical sector, as well as professionals and users, have been becoming aware of the impact their nautical activities at sea have on the planet and are working to improve respecting the environment. To give its visitors the opportunity to learn more about this eco-friendly transition, the festival laid out a Green Route showcasing more than 60 exhibitors presenting a concept in favour of the environment.

A CARBON FOOTPRINT BEING IMPROVED The Yachting Festival has undertaken an ecological transition by improving its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through implementing new actions to reduce its event activity’s environmental impact, guided by an approach of the RX group at international level.

– many documents that are usually printed were provided in digital format (visitor map included in the festival catalogue, tickets to the festival (tickets and badges), etc.)

– use of recycled and/or recyclable materials (Press Villages furniture in recycled and recyclable cardboard, recyclable carpet on the aisles and stands, most of the festival signage recyclable) The Festival caterers, service providers and exhibitors’ undertakings join this effort.

INAUGURATION WITH DAVID LISNARD, MAYOR OF CANNES The Mayor, David Lisnard, inaugurated the Yachting Festival with Alexandra Martin, departmental councillor, Hugh Jones and Michel Filzi, Presidents of RX Global and RX France respectively, Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, Mr. Gérard Lachkar, Vice President of the French Nautical Industries Federation (F.I.N.) and many officials in attendance. After the traditional cutting of the ribbon, the Mayor visited exhibitors around the Vieux Port.