One of the most prestigious boat shows on the calendar saw a successful Maltese presence during this year’s festivities.

The decision by Yachting Malta to participate in the Cannes Yachting Festival, following consultation with local industry stakeholders, was a “significant and exciting development” for both the organisation and the Maltese yachting community.

The Cannes Yachting Festival, one of the most famous and influential boat shows on the picturesque French Riviera, draws an international crowd, featuring an impressive display of luxury yachts, sailboats, and motorboats – Yachting Malta’s participation underscores the growing importance of Malta as a destination for yachting enthusiasts and professionals.

Traditionally hosted in View Port, recent years has seen the Cannes Yachting Festival outgrow the old port, overflowing into Port Canto.

This growth captured the attention of Yachting Malta, who had already supported the Superyacht Industry Network Malta’s participation in 2019 by assisting in the setting up of their stand.

The international crowd that throngs Cannes is the promise of opportunities which enable visitors to step on board the display of luxury yachts, sailboats, and motorboats.

However, boat shows are not just about admiring boats; they are also a hub for industry professionals to network, learn about the latest advancements in marine technology, and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the boating world.

The commitment to eco-friendly innovations, showcasing industry players’ commitment to sustainability and responsible boating was also high on agendas.

Yachting Malta was joined at the Cannes Yachting Festival by the Malta Ship Registry, Visit Malta and the Super Yacht Industry Network. In addition to these three entities, Yachting Malta collaborated with nine other industry supporters namely BDO Malta, Camilleri Marine, CSR Yachting, Ganado Advocates, Maritime MT, KSi Malta, Mediterranean Maritime Hub, NAS and Xone.

“Overall, Yachting Malta’s decision to participate in the Cannes Yachting Festival reflects a commitment to advancing the local yachting industry, attracting international attention, and positioning Malta as a premier yachting destination” remarked Yachting Malta CEO Michael Mifsud.

“This move aligns with the Yachting Malta’s mission to promote and support the yachting sector in Malta, benefiting the local economy and fostering a vibrant maritime community. It is an exciting step forward in showcasing all that Malta has to offer to the global yachting community.”

The recognition by industry stakeholders, at the Cannes Yachting Festival, that cooperation is beneficial for strengthening the potential for future collaborations is a positive and forward- thinking perspective.

This collaborative spirit can have several important implications and advantages for the yachting industry and was highlighted by Giannella Barbieri, Legal Manager, BDO Malta, who said: “Our collaboration with Yachting Malta at the Cannes Yachting Festival was instrumental in elevating BDO Malta’s profile as a distinguished yachting service provider.

“While Yachting Malta’s primary objective was to promote Malta as a maritime gem, we found ourselves in a synergistic partnership where our presence took centre stage. Their unwavering support and shared vision ensured that our expertise and services received the spotlight they deserved.”

Visit Malta Director Claude Zammit Trevisan, echoed these sentiments, stating that “it was a pleasure to be a partner of Yachting Mata on the Malta stand in Cannes. The stand served as a central meeting point serving all stakeholders concerned, and a base from which to promote Malta as a destination of excellence”.

Initial feedback following its presence in Cannes shows that Yachting Malta has already captured the attention of international stakeholders which is a promising and exciting development. This positive response indicates that Yachting Malta’s decision to participate in the event is yielding early dividends.

“We need to capitalise on this early success and the next step is to follow-up on the meetings we had to explore concrete opportunities that have arisen as a result of our presence in Cannes,” Mifsud concluded.

Yachting Malta has already announced its intention to be present in next year’s edition which will take place between 10th and 15th September, 2024.