Mazza (Marina di Loano): "With the Marina Suites, we're opening a new tourism segment."

This service was published in preview in issue 2-2026 of Yacht Upstream

Marina di Loano is pursuing a development program aimed at strengthening the port as an integrated destination, expanding its services, accommodations, and commercial activities. Among the recently introduced innovations is the Marina Suite, a concept that combines hotel accommodations with onboard life, part of a broader marina development project. SUPER YACHT 24 spoke with CEO Gianluca Mazza about the project.

Why did you feel the need to introduce the Marina format? Suite?
We want to continue strengthening the marina's competitive advantage. The Marina Suites represent an innovative and cross-cutting offering, a blend of a boat stay and a hotel stay. This is a new tourism option, especially considering that this product is currently limited. This allows us to broaden our customer base while also enhancing the marina's services, which are a 4-star plus facility, introducing a product that is still relatively uncommon in Italian marinas.

Who is the target customer and what services are included?
The target is transversal: it's not just the traveler who chooses a hotel, nor the enthusiast who charters a yacht, but a meeting point between these two experiences. We're talking about clients seeking a different type of stay, combining the comfort of a hotel with the experience of living on the water. In a size of approximately 40 meters, the vessel offers the livability, interior headroom, and flybridge typical of a large vessel, with a generously sized suite. It's a marriage of two worlds that we believe will resonate with the market. The amenities will be typical hotel ones: a fitness center, solarium, wellness area, the marina beach with dog beach and VIP area, an outdoor pool, and mobility services such as electric cars and bicycles, as well as the option of onboard catering.

Are the Marina Suites a one-off project or part of a larger transformation?
They are part of a broader development project aimed at strengthening Marina di Loano as a destination. We have worked on the overall redevelopment of the facility, streamlining the office space, and developing a local marketing strategy to promote the marina and its surrounding area. As part of this process, we have transformed the nine-room guesthouse into a 25-room four-star hotel, which will be managed under a franchise agreement by Una Hotels, a Unipol Group brand like Marina di Loano. Through the Marina Resort classification, we have expanded the service offering with a concierge, gym, onboard shopping, dog grooming, and a dedicated children's area. The Marina Suites represent the final step in this development.

With employment levels nearing saturation, is the goal to grow further or to better leverage existing resources?
Yachts up to 25 meters are fully occupied, while superyachts are at around 85-90% capacity during the peak season. We're working to expand seasonality, as many vessels are cruising during the summer months and demand tends to decline. The goal is to increase occupancy during that time of year as well and achieve full occupancy year-round. To do this, we continue to expand our services and engage with owners and captains to understand their needs, even if translating these needs into new services isn't always straightforward. Among the projects in the pipeline is the redevelopment of the helipad, currently for temporary use, which we'd like to make operational 24/7, 365 days a year.

What does it mean for customers to have an integrated system between port, services, and the territory?
"It represents a distinctive element. Loano has been named one of the ten most beautiful marinas in the world, and we want to continue strengthening this position. A comprehensive range of services, the port's security, and the characteristics of the facility contribute to making it attractive for customers and yachtsmen. Services are an integral part of the asset and are one of the main factors determining the marina's overall appeal."

What factors drove revenue and EBITDA growth?
Since 2020, revenues have nearly doubled, while EBITDA has nearly tripled. This result stems from a focus on cost structure, but also from working on individual business units, with the goal of making them all profitable, empowering staff, and thus optimizing their respective financial statements. We have also introduced new value-added services, strengthened communications, and invested in real estate assets, streamlining some units and creating new ones. Approximately 20% of the result comes from property management, while the remainder is tied to the core business of berths. A more efficient marina, with new services and new commercial activities, inevitably also improves financial results.

Are new technologies, including hybrid and electric, still a niche?
"We've installed charging stations for electric cars and boats, but we haven't yet seen significant demand. The market is closely monitoring these technologies, but the presence of electric-powered boats is still limited. It's an interesting and evolving segment, but it hasn't yet achieved significant adoption."

How much does sustainability influence shipowners' choices?
The marina holds several environmental certifications and a photovoltaic system of approximately 334 kW that contributes to its energy needs. Sustainability is an increasingly important topic, especially for the new generation of captains and clients, who are more sensitive to these issues. Having these features certainly represents an additional competitive advantage. I would also like to emphasize that Marina di Loano operates in compliance with the climate strategy adopted in 2022 by the Unipol Group, which envisages a specific path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its real estate portfolio, aiming for zero emissions by 2050. 

What are the next milestones that you think are important to remember?
We will soon be opening three new businesses, and by the end of the year, the Yacht Club's new hotel, with 25 rooms and all related services, will be completed. A fully equipped area for work on vessels up to 16 meters is also planned, complementing the existing refitting yard. In recent years, we have invested to strengthen the facility and maintain our competitive advantage, and we expect to see the results of this process. The main investment cycle will conclude in 2026, while we will continue to work on improving our services.

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