The number of Italians choosing to rent a boat is increasing.

The desire to sail is growing in Italy. This is the case for Samboat, a company founded in 2014 and based in Bordeaux, specializing in boat rentals, with or without a skipper, for private individuals. The platform connects boat owners with renters in 76 countries, offering a fleet of over 50,000 vessels, including sailboats, catamarans, speedboats, and motor yachts.

Italy, explains Nicolas Cargou, co-founder and CEO of the company, "recorded 20% growth on Samboat last year, confirming the market's strong momentum on both the supply and demand sides. It's a strongly national market, with over 80% of bookings made by Italians themselves, often loyal to familiar cruising destinations like Sardinia, Sicily, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. Ports like Porto Rotondo, Castellammare del Golfo, and Palermo are at the top of the list for summer bookings, including September 2025."

Among Italians traveling abroad, "the favorite destinations this year," Cargou continues, "include Greece, Croatia, Spain, and France. Overall, the top three European destinations in terms of volume from June to September 2025 are France, Spain, and Italy, a trio that leads the season on the platform. After Italians, the most popular nationalities in Italy through Samboat are French and German." A recent study by the French company also found that the average age of charterers in Italy is 45, with a tendency to travel in groups, generally consisting of four people per boat.

Looking to the future, Cargou emphasizes that "we're seeing growing interest in more immersive and exotic experiences. Thailand, for example, is gaining traction as a long-haul destination for travelers seeking a deeper connection with nature and local culture. At the same time, Dubai is emerging as a highly sought-after destination for quick, luxurious, and memorable getaways. The Caribbean also continues to be a popular cruise destination, especially in winter. Ultimately, our role is to connect both sides of the market: taking travelers to where the ships are, but more importantly, where they dream of a unique experience. This is where we will continue to invest: in aligning our offering with travelers' ever-evolving expectations."

In 2024, Samboat handled "nearly €60 million in volume," the CEO explains, "a slight increase compared to the previous year. And we've managed to increase our margins thanks to improved monetization, value-added offers, and optimized distribution. Our goal is to surpass €100 million in online volume and quickly surpass €10 million in revenue within the next two years. We've laid the foundations, and the acceleration is underway." The company's main markets today include France, Spain, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. "These countries," Cargou concludes, "represent our primary target, and we've created local teams to best manage them."