Mole Vanvitelliana: Ancona eyes Cannes boat show to boost nautical tourism

The Mole Vanvitelliana hosted the opening stage of "Vette e Onde Experience 2026", bringing together over a hundred architects, hospitality experts and nautical industry figures to explore the sea as a cultural and developmental asset for Ancona, Italian Capital of Culture 2028.

Deputy mayor for Tourism and Historic Villages, Daniele Berardinelli, announced the municipality's plan to propose a project to the Region to join Ancona with the Cannes boat show, a move seen as strategic for local shipyards and builders. The debate focused on balancing tourism development with sustainability: "We must avoid overtourism at all costs," Berardinelli said.

• Main topics: new luxury, slow tourism, sea–inland integration, accessibility and sustainable services.
• Speakers included: representatives from Fincantieri, international yacht design studios, hotel groups and local operators.
• Operational goal: strengthen professional networks and promote the territory as an authentic destination rather than a transit point.
• Next stops for the VeO format: Lake Maggiore (June 26) and Trentino-Alto Adige (September 18).

Speakers stressed that sector growth should rely on long-term management strategies, avoiding indiscriminate conversion of historic housing stock and favoring discreet, high-quality hospitality offerings that enhance history and landscape.