By
Laura Hyde |
The eighth edition of the Adriatic Sea Forum – Cruise, Ferry, Sail & Yacht will take place in Venice, Italy, from 25-26 June 2026.
During the event, organiser Risposte Turismo will present the findings of its Adriatic Sea Tourism Report 2026, which looks at maritime tourism investments across Adriatic ports. Initial results from the report suggest over €340 million ($397.5 million) has been invested in maritime tourism across Adriatic ports, including €252 million ($294.6 million) in Italy and at least €90 million ($105.2 million) in countries along the Balkan coast.
Event sessions, which include roundtables, keynote speeches and presentations, will also address the future of the Adriatic as a tourism destination; the impact of climate change on the maritime tourism dynamics in the area; the value of maritime tourism for Adriatic countries; and the relevance of nautical tourism along the Adriatic coast; and more.
“We are delighted to bring the Adriatic Sea Forum to Venice this year, a symbolic city of the Adriatic and the place where Risposte Turismo was founded and is based,” said Francesco di Cesare, president of Risposte Turismo. “A tourism capital located in an area distinguished by its outstanding natural and landscape heritage, as well as by its many high-value historical and artistic destinations.”
The event will also feature a dedicated space for discussing smart and sustainable mobility in the region, as well as looking at how cities welcome maritime tourists and at ferries as facilitators of the Adriatic as a single destination, as well as the possible revival of the area as a cruise macro area.
The Adriatic Sea Forum will also feature a special focus on young people with the new edition of Alumni@ASF, which will allow a selected group of 30 students or recent graduates from universities and masters programmes in countries bordering both sides of the Adriatic to take part in the event, follow its sessions, and engage with industry operators.
“The eighth edition of the forum takes place during a historical phase marked by strong international uncertainty, prompting new reflections on maritime tourism dynamics, to which we will dedicate space during the two working days,” said Di Cesare. “The selected topics range from destination governance to entrepreneurial challenges and, thanks to the many speakers involved, will face both the sector as a whole and its individual components. Since the very first edition, our goal has been to help give the Adriatic the central role it deserves within the international tourism landscape, offering a recurring opportunity for dialogue among operators, as well as a reliable source of updated data and information.”
The 2026 edition is organised in partnership with the North Adriatic Sea Port Authority, with Bassani Group as main sponsor, alongside Marine and Mastercard. The event will be supported by Venezia Terminal Passeggeri and Venice Yacht Pier. Adriatic Sea Forum – Cruise, Ferry, Sail & Yacht is held under the patronage of the European Commission and the Municipality of Venice.
Find out more about the event on the dedicated website.