36 AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 2019 | International Boat Industry ibinews.com
European Round-up
EUROPE | ROUND-UP
for many years, the workplace for a big
percentage of the population – transport
and fishing, for example. Boating was never
seen as a leisure activity. To change this
mentality, we need a new ‘Grow Boating’
approach.”
Fortunato told IBI that there are
not many equipment manufacturers in
Portugal, apart from a few sailmakers and
rope manufacturers that cater mostly
to the local market and parts of Europe.
Chandleries are quite small and very local.
“The main struggle is really the size of the
Portuguese market,” says Fortunato.
Most foreign boats in Portugal are from
the UK, Holland, France and Germany.
There are roughly 30 marinas located
throughout the country providing a total
of 14,000 berths. “Domestic demand is
very important, accounting for around 50%
of occupancy at Portuguese marinas, but
still far from what it should be,” Fortunato
adds. Obviously this changes in the north,
which is more Portuguese, compared to the
south. The Algarve, for instance, is home to
many foreign boaters.
“For foreign boats, there aren’t any tax
or legislative issues that would discourage
anyone from coming to our country,”
Fortunato explains. “The tax system is
similar or easier than any other country in
the Mediterranean.
“The problem with legislation has
always been for Portuguese boaters, not
foreigners,” he adds. “We are a very warm
and welcoming country for any boater in
the world.” n Consumer confidence is highREAL GDP GROWTH (2018) 4.6%
REAL GDP GROWTH (2019 est) 3.4%
NUMBER OF ADULTS 1.7 MILLION
NUMBER $ MILLIONAIRES 10.000
BOAT PARK 20,000
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
(Change in index points Jun/Jul) +1.1%
NEW CAR SALES
(Change Jan-Jun ‘18/19) -4.4%SLOVENIA
T
he Slovenian boating market
showed no signs of slowdown
in 2018. Consumer confidence
was good and both the main boat show,
Internautica, as well as the country’s
boat and equipment sellers enjoyed
moderate growth – up by around 10%
compared to 2017.
Slovenians are mostly interested in
chartering boats or
having their own
small sportsboat.
Yacht charter is a
popular activity
amongst Slovenians,
but with just 47km
of coast and only
two big marinas, the
opportunities for
growth are limited.
Jurij Korenc,
president of the Slovenian Marine
Industry Association (SMIA), and Japek
Jakopin of J&J Design told IBI that many
Slovenian sailors own sailboats that
are used in neighbouring Croatia in an
‘owner-charter’ or ‘charter management’
model serving in charter fleets and
partially sailed for private use. “Increased
demand for charter boats in Croatia overthe past four years has led to a gradual
increase in sailboats bought by Slovenian
owners, mainly Bavaria, Beneteau
(including Lagoon), Hanse, Dufour and
Elan,” Korenc told IBI. The estimated
market lies at around 60 sailing boats of
up to 50ft per year.
Sport powerboats and mid-sized
power yachts are also performing well,
although the majority
of powerboats sold
in Slovenia are from
18ft-65ft in length. The
best-performing brands
are imported from Italy,
France, Germany and
the US.
“Besides the charter
fleet replacement market
for sailboats there is
increased demand in
Slovenia for outboard-powered smaller
units between 25ft-35ft, mainly used
for day trips or coastal cruising with
overnight stays in hotels. This market
is estimated at 100-plus units per year,”
Korenc explained.
As for exports, Slovenia’s main builders
are Greenline, Elan and Seascape.
Demand is mostly from Europe, althoughComplete Climate Solutions: Heating, Cooling & Roofs
Juric Korenc, president of SMIACompanies in
boating are
projecting modest growth
for the future, but they
feel confident and in
general there is a
positive trendMARTINHO FORTUNATO, VICE PRESIDENT
APPA - PORTUGESE MARINA ASSOCIATIONFor foreign boats,
there aren’t any
tax or legislative
issues... the problem
with legislation
has always been for
Portuguese boaters