In the nautical sector, tourism is the carrot of development.

Under the coordination of the São Paulo Nautical Forum, the State of São Paulo is developing the first State Nautical Development Plan in Brazil.

Since the creation of the FNP in 2014, it was only after it began interacting with, under the management of Vinicius Lummertz, and later integrating with the Secretariat of Tourism and Travel of the State of São Paulo, with the support of Secretary Roberto de Lucena, that nautical activities in the State gained repercussion and momentum.

Last year's tenders include nautical structures (piers, floating docks, and ramps) that are slated for delivery in 13 cities in the interior of São Paulo state, fulfilling a long-standing demand from the sector. The updating of environmental legislation for marina installation is also being studied. The Nautical Industry thematic chamber has partnered with shipyards and suppliers to launch the "My First Boat" product this year, also available in a sailing version, which promises to cost the price of a popular car and offer financing options through Desenvolve SP. In the area of ​​qualification, the partnership with FATEC-JAHU has already enabled the implementation of three new courses and promises three more for 2024, including a postgraduate course in project management. A navigation guide for the Tietê-Paraná waterway was also recently launched and made available for download on the website www.forumnautico.com.br.

Other actions, such as the reduction of ICMS (a state sales tax) for the sector, voted on in the ALESP (Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo) at the end of last year and sanctioned by Governor Tarcísio at the beginning of this year, with the aim of keeping pace with Santa Catarina and Rio de Janeiro, creating jobs here, were coordinated by the FNP (National Front of Mayors).

Despite so many achievements, there are still many bottlenecks to overcome in order to achieve the nautical tourism that we all desire for São Paulo. While infrastructure and a favorable business environment are essential for the development of any tourism sector in general, nautical tourism requires an additional step. This is because our waterways, unlike our land, have seen little commercial use to date, and therefore, the current legislation and public policies concerning them are geared towards cargo ships, ports, and, at most, large-scale water transport such as cruise ships.

Charter flights, scuba diving, rowing and sailing sports, and motorboat tours have never been understood by governing bodies as essential to the country's economic development, and therefore there has never been a focus on promoting them specifically.

The special highlight on this list is "sailing." An essential activity for the development of the world as we know it, and a sport in which Brazil has accumulated the most Olympic medals, it only had one support program 20 years ago, when Lars Grael was the State Secretary of Sports.

The good thing about us driving this nautical development in the state through tourism is that we will have to poke and heal all the wounds in order to carry out the activity and measure results later; that is, tourism is the carrot we envision to change a culture of nautical underdevelopment and underutilization of São Paulo's waters.