General increases to keep pace with inflation
To coincide with the opening of its 100% online ticketing service on June 19, 2023, the Cannes Yachting Festival has unveiled the ticket prices for the autumn 2023 boat show. With the price of a day ticket rising from 19 euros to 31 euros, it's clear that the increase is substantial, at +63%, which Sylvie Ernoult, the event's curator, justifies with two main arguments: "First and foremost, we felt we could afford to do it. On the one hand, prices rise with inflation, and there was no reason why only our exhibitors and partners should have to bear it. On the other hand, if the increase is much higher than inflation, it's also because over the past 10 years, increases have been very low, and it seems to us that the quality of the show justifies this. The price was very low compared to the quality of other shows. What's more, for those who can't afford it, we offer other ways of escaping this increase, with different strategies."
Special rates and free admission
The Cannes Yachting Festival 2023 features a number of innovations. On the one hand, it is launching a 2-day ticket priced at 55 euros, as well as flash sales on July 12 and August 12, offering one free entry for every one purchased.
Free access for visitors entering the sailing area at Port Canto has been extended beyond the morning hours of 10 am to 11 am, to include free access after 4 pm. Sylvie Ernoult explains: " This is in response to requests from exhibitors, in order to regulate traffic flows at Port Canto. Today, people crossing by boat from the Old Port don't arrive until 11 a.m. and leave early to collect their cars. It's important not to lose the last two hours of the show for exhibitors, and this allows for easier access."
While Cannes remains a long way from the exclusive rates of the big yacht shows, the Yachting Festival is a long way from the prices of other French national shows. It now remains to be seen how the increase will be accepted by visitors to this 2023 edition.
