The beautiful Bay of Cannes once again hosted one of Europe’s most prestigious maritime events, the Cannes Yachting Festival 2024. Over six spectacular days, the show attracted more than 55,000 visitors from 130 countries, showcasing the finest in marine innovation and luxury across two stunning locations: Vieux Port and Port Canto.

© Cyril Charpin – CYF 2024
This year’s festival was a testament to both scale and sustainability. The show demonstrated the industry’s remarkable breadth with over 700 boats on display, ranging from intimate 5-meter vessels to impressive 45-meter superyachts. The new Power Boat Marina at Port Canto was particularly impressive, doubling the port’s capacity with 3,000 square meters of space and 450 meters of quay, hosting 175 motorboats and yacht tenders.
“The trade fair has grown again by a few areas,” notes Falk Morgenstern, GMBA Germany, who attended the show. However, he observed an interesting trend: “The yachts in the higher price segment (from 55 feet) were better attended and in demand,” suggesting a shift in market dynamics.
The festival’s commitment to sustainability was evident through its dedicated “Green Route,” highlighting eco-conscious exhibitors and featuring an increasing number of hybrid and electric-powered yachts. This environmental focus reflects the industry’s growing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
Knut Heiberg- Andersen, GMBA Norway, brought an interesting perspective from the Scandinavian market: “Arriving to the Cannes show, we had already participated in 2-3 shows here in Scandinavia with fairly depressing results.” However, his experience at Cannes proved more optimistic. Despite lower attendance in the first few days compared to previous years, the quality of interactions was notably higher. “We constantly had people on the boats, and everyone around us had the same,” he observed.
The show’s layout proved highly effective, with 360 boats at Vieux Port and 340 at Port Canto, including an impressive showcase of 70 superyachts along the Jetée and Superyachts Extension. The distribution between new and pre-owned vessels (535 new motor boats and 45 previously-owned yachts) offered visitors a comprehensive market view.
While both consultants noted some market hesitancy, Falk mentioning “a clear reluctance among customers,” the weekend saw increased attendance and activity. French dealers reported making valuable connections for upcoming seasons, suggesting a resilient market despite current economic challenges.

© Cyril Charpin – CYF 2024
The Cannes Yachting Festival 2024 again proved why it’s becoming one of Europe’s most important boat shows. With 640 exhibitors, 120 world premieres, and coverage from 665 journalists from almost 40 countries, it continues to set the standard for boating exhibitions while adapting to changing market conditions and environmental considerations.
Image Credits:
CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL 2024 – ATMOSPHERE – EXHIBITION AREA – POWER BOAT MARINA
09/13/2024 at 19:23:18
© Cyril Charpin – CYF 2024