TRIESTE – A roundtable discussion has been proposed to assess the opportunities offered by the development of the megayacht market in Venice.
The request comes from Venice Port Community, the consortium that brings together the main operators of the Port of Venice, referring to the spotlight—now turned off—on Jeff Bezos’s arrival and stay in the lagoon. That visit highlighted a segment of the market with potentially interesting prospects for Venice: a hub for megayachts—vessels up to 100 meters long with crews of dozens.
“Following the downsizing of large cruise ships, the port has clearly taken a hit. But thanks to investment and the high level of expertise available, we’ve managed—albeit with difficulty—to maintain a presence in this market segment. The arrival of the billionaire opened up a new professional opportunity: that of megayachts. It’s a market we should explore and take seriously, as it could generate a major economic impact. Think of refitting, repairs, provisioning—just to name a few,” explains Davide Calderan, president of VPC. “In recent years, we’ve stabilized at around 150–160 yacht calls per year, while in the early 2000s we reached as many as 230.”
For this reason, Calderan is calling on the institutions: “To all political and administrative bodies in the region—from the Regional Government to the newly established Lagoon Authority, as well as the Prefecture and the Police Headquarters—I ask: why not launch a roundtable to support these activities, so that we can thoroughly understand the opportunities of this market and how to sustain it? This is where the real alternative to the monoculture of mass tourism begins: seeking different paths that can enhance the craftsmanship for which Venice is renowned.”
According to VPC, there is no lack of space in the city, especially since this type of traffic moves discreetly and does not disturb residents, while contributing significantly to the local economy. The goal is to boost the sector, possibly by identifying suitable locations that are also easily accessible from the mainland, so that local professionals can offer their skills and services. This is a market that has already seen development in Croatia, but Venice’s international appeal could be a powerful driver. The focus is on those working in plant systems, textiles, maintenance, but also on fuel and food supplies, as well as services like taxis, catering, hotels, and restaurants.
“All port projects remain on track, including the maintenance of canals through dredging to restore the planned depths, and the construction of new quays. This additional activity,” Calderan adds, “could enable access for certain luxury and smaller vessels, creating new jobs and making better use of port areas.”
