Tuscany is betting on one of its most distinctive industries to strengthen its international profile: luxury yacht building.
On June 15, the regional government of Tuscany welcomed a delegation of Italian and international journalists to Viareggio for an immersive look inside one of the world’s most prestigious superyacht manufacturing hubs. Organized by Invest in Tuscany, the region’s investment promotion agency, the tour highlighted the public-private partnership that has helped turn Tuscany into a global centre for luxury yacht construction.
Hosted at the headquarters of the Navigo Consortium, the initiative sought to demonstrate how regional investment policies and industrial excellence work hand in hand. Rather than simply attracting foreign capital, Tuscany positions itself as an active partner for investors, providing dedicated support for companies while protecting the specialized manufacturing ecosystem that has made Viareggio synonymous with custom-built superyachts.
The collaboration between Invest in Tuscany and the Tuscan Nautical District reflects this integrated approach. While the region’s highly specialized supply chain continues to attract international clients and investors, the regional government offers tailored assistance for companies looking to establish or expand operations, including administrative guidance and free investment support. The result is an ecosystem in which public institutions and private enterprise reinforce one another, creating favourable conditions for both innovation and long-term growth.
The figures underline Tuscany’s global leadership. The region accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the world’s market for custom yachts over 30 metres, making it the undisputed leader in the luxury superyacht segment. Stretching along the coast from Viareggio to Pisa, Livorno and Massa-Carrara, the regional maritime cluster includes around 4,500 companies, with more than 900 businesses concentrated in the Viareggio area alone. Together, the sector employs approximately 22,000 people and generates an annual turnover of 4 billion euro.
International demand remains the industry’s driving force. Tuscany is responsible for 21.2 per cent of Italy’s total nautical exports, with exports reaching a record 1.57 billion euro in 2024 after four years of annual growth exceeding 20 per cent. Nearly 98 per cent of production is destined for overseas markets, serving an international clientele that ranges from private owners and entrepreneurs to celebrities and luxury charter operators.
The success of the yacht-building sector mirrors Tuscany’s broader appeal to foreign investors. The region now ranks fourth in Italy for attracting foreign direct investment, with the United States, Germany and France remaining its principal international partners.
That strategy recently received international recognition at the fDi Intelligence Investment Impact Awards 2026, organized by the Financial Times’ investment publication. Between 2019 and 2025, Invest in Tuscany facilitated 303 foreign investment projects, generating more than 12 billion euro in investment and creating approximately 15,000 new jobs across the region.
Looking ahead, sustainability and skills development are becoming central to the sector’s continued competitiveness. Tuscan shipyards are investing heavily in hybrid propulsion systems, low-impact technologies and circular economy practices, supported by a network of universities and research centres across the region. At the same time, workforce development has become a strategic priority. The regional government has expanded specialist training programmes, including those offered by Viareggio’s ITS ISYL Academy, which prepares skilled technicians and managers for careers in the maritime industry.
Completing the picture is the Marine della Toscana network, which coordinates marinas throughout the region, offering thousands of berths alongside world-class refit and maintenance services. Together, these complementary assets continue to reinforce Viareggio’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost capitals of luxury yachting. For Tuscany, superyachts are more than symbols of luxury. They represent a powerful economic engine, one that combines artisanal craftsmanship, advanced manufacturing, international investment and public policy into a model that has become one of the region’s defining competitive advantages.
