According to Maria Elisa Altese, an Italian-American journalist and the face of The Boat Show on Sky, Italy remains the absolute point of reference in luxury yachting, even for the US market. Those purchasing superyachts in the USA continue to turn primarily to Italian shipyards, attracted by a style that embodies beauty, lifestyle, and design quality, in line with an Italian imagery ranging from Fellini to Riva.
After a background in political journalism, Altese entered the world of large-scale yachting, following the main international boat shows: in the United States (Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach), in Europe (Genoa, Cannes, Düsseldorf), and in emerging hubs such as Dubai, Jeddah, and Shanghai.
When it comes to high-level yachting, Italy remains the preferred choice due to its design and lifestyle. For superyachts, speed and pure performance matter less than living, comfort, and identity: a typically Italian way of living, dining, and experiencing the sea. Italian shipyards excel in custom design, working side-by-side with owners to create unique solutions that integrate technology, design, and art, even when faced with extreme or symbolic requests.
Altese also emphasizes how the yachting industry is investing in sustainability, safety, and new technologies, as well as in workforce training and collaboration with universities. Despite international competition—such as South African catamarans or American shipyards focused on engines and speed—Italy maintains its leadership thanks to a tradition that is often family-run, a strong identity, and globally recognized quality. An emblematic case is Pershing, an Italian brand perceived as American due to its style, yet part of the Ferretti Group.
