The potential of European nautical tourism for islands
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
Mirna Cieniewicz, Secretary General
European Boating Industry
About European Boating Industry
 Non-profit international association
 15 national industry associations
 Council with 8 members from business
 Represent the whole sector
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
Key figures for the boating industry in Europe
 32,000 companies directly employing over
280,000 people
 Annual turnover of 20 bn EUR
 Main boatbuilders in Europe:
 Italy, France, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Poland
 Nautical destinations:
 Mediterranean attracts 70% of world charter
 Baltic Sea, inland waterways & lakes
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
A definition of nautical tourism
 The boating industry comprises of:
 Manufacturing: boatbuilding, equipment
 Infrastructures: marinas, slip ways, moorings
 Services: trade, repair & maintenance,
chartering (rental), shipchandlers (retail)
Nautical Tourism
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
The European nautical tourism
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
The European nautical tourism
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
The European nautical tourism
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
The European nautical tourism
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
Key figures for the nautical tourism in Europe
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Nautical tourism is popular!
48 million EU citizens practice watersports
36 million of them also boaters
Fleet of 6 million boats, 80% below 8m
4,500 marinas offering 1.75 million berths
High attraction for sea festivals, regattas &
ocean racing
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
The European nautical tourism
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
Nautical tourism also faces bottlenecks
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Seasonality & concentration over few weeks
No EU internal market for nautical services
Professional qualifications not always accepted
Boating qualifications not always accepted
Different safety requirements for charter fleet
Different administrative & fiscal treatment
Need for training & better nautical services
Uncertainty when cruising across Europe
EESC Seminar on Maritime Industries – Athens, 12 May 2014
Tackling the right challenges
 Opinion CESE 1769/2012 - CCMI/103
 It was welcomed by the nautical community
 Wish to see now the political willingness of
national and EU decision-makers to tackle the
identified issues
 The nautical sector can be better exploited in
Europe
Link: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.ccmi-opinions.24258
EESC Seminar on Maritime Industries – Athens, 12 May 2014
An under exploited potential in Europe (1)
 A fantastic potential to exploit
 Nautical tourism can bring prosperity and
employment in new areas like islands
 We deserve a better, harmonised regulatory
and fiscal framework to operate across
Europe
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
An under exploited potential in Europe (2)
 Member States and EU to recognise the
particularities of our activity and support its
coordinated and sustainable development
 European Boating Industry is committed to
work with policy makers to achieve these
important long-term objectives
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014
Thank you for
your attention!
European Boating Industry
Mirna Cieniewicz, Secretary General
E-mail: mc@europeanboatingindustry.eu
Website: www.europeanboatingindustry.eu
EESC & INSULEUR Public Hearing – Brussels, 8 May 2014