The best of yachting on display

The seventh edition of Seacily 2024 kicks off today, hosted this year at the Marina di Balestrate. Until Sunday, the tradition continues of an event that highlights the excellence of Italian and Sicilian nautical industry in particular. Following the great success of the 2023 edition, organized by “Mediterranean Nautical Network” and held at Capo d’Orlando Marina, the nautical show in Balestrate with the same organization is preparing to offer an even more unforgettable experience.
The media partner is the Giornale di Sicilia with Tgs, Rgs, and the website gds.it
The entrance (from 10 am to 6.30 pm) is free, but a ticket must be downloaded from the event’s website: saloneseacily.it
Edy Tamajo, Regional Counselor for Productive Activities, emphasizes: “I am particularly proud that Balestrate hosts such a relevant event as the Seacily Nautical Show, which represents a unique opportunity to enhance our maritime heritage and promote a strategic sector for the economy of Sicily. The sea is a fundamental resource for our region, not only from a touristic point of view, but also for the opportunities it offers in terms of economic, entrepreneurial, and occupational development. The Region will always support initiatives that, like Seacily, can enhance the potential of our territory and our companies.”

Alessandro Albanese, president of the Palermo-Enna Chamber of Commerce, also praises the event: “The success of Seacily, the Sicily Nautical Show, now in its seventh edition, is all in the excellent organization that, over the years, has been developed by Assonautica Palermo, which has managed to involve the movement among exhibitors, sponsors, and especially the tens of thousands of visitors.” The Palermo Enna Chamber of Commerce is among the main supporters of the event: “The choice to bring the event to Balestrate – he adds – is really interesting, firstly because we are in an area of significant economic interest where activities related to nautical and the sea, as is known, are intense and in a phase of great expansion. The collaboration with the Mediterranean Nautical Network further strengthens the goals of Seacily: in addition to showcasing nautical excellence, there is also an in-depth exploration of various themes with particular reference to the so-called Blue Economy. By now, even in Sicily, the maritime economy is taking off. I recall that Sicily has about 30,000 sector companies, placing it among the top in Italy.”

On her part, Elvira Amata, Regional Tourism Councilor, observes: “This year, we will participate with growing interest in Seacily, now in its 7th edition, a consolidated event that generates high expectations and will certainly once again be a profitable opportunity to strengthen such a strategic segment of the tourism sector, such as nautical tourism. To the organizers, I extend my praise for their constant commitment and sincere wishes for the success of the event.”
And here are the organizers. Cristiano Lombardo, president of the Mediterranean Nautical Network and vice-president of Assonautica Palermo, a nautical entrepreneur since 1988 with Columbus Yachting srl Beneteau dealer, multiple sailing champion, and respected expert, explains: “This is the second year in which the Mediterranean Nautical Network (RMN), of which I am president, is exclusively responsible for organizing Seacily. After the success of the last edition in Capo d’Orlando, Marina di Balestrate will host the seventh edition: we move from the province of Messina to the Palermo/Trapani area, to involve a new user base and new companies in the sector. Today, the Mediterranean Nautical District, of which the RMN Nautical Network is an expression as a legal entity, includes over fifty Sicilian recreational boating companies, including boat builders, docking and refitting yards, marinas, boat and marine engine dealers, sailmakers, charter operators, and maintainers, a sign of a growing need to team up and collaborate to achieve higher levels of expertise and improve the quality of the offering to the public. The goal for next year? To return with an even bigger eighth edition in Palermo, hoping to find the right conditions.”

Finally, Andrea Ciulla, president of Assonautica Palermo, states: “Seacily is a tried and tested format created by Assonautica Palermo in 2013. A Show where, in addition to the classic exhibition dedicated to the sector, moments of discussion and debates on the Economy of the Sea are added. An opportunity for discussion on the most relevant issues and the sector’s “numbers.” Also during Seacily – Ciulla continues – we will present our Report on Nautical Tourism in Sicily, and I can already anticipate that the data analysis shows an increase in companies and employees. However, we cannot ignore the need for a more fruitful synergy between operators and institutions, implementing a participatory planning also in relation to regional port facilities and connecting infrastructures to allow Sicily to be more competitive.”