Paris to Host Sloww! 2027 as River Tourism Gains Strategic Importance Across France

After seven editions dedicated to advancing France’s river and waterway tourism sectors, Sloww! is preparing for its most ambitious edition yet. For the first time, the event will take place in Paris, bringing together industry leaders, destination stakeholders, investors and tourism professionals at CNIT Forest, Paris La Défense, on 2–3 February 2027.

Organised by Entreprises Fluviales de France (E2F), with the support of Voies Navigables de France (VNF) and Centaure Live, the move signals a significant evolution for the event. More than a trade gathering, Sloww! 2027 aims to position itself as a strategic decision-making platform where the future of river and waterway tourism will be discussed, shaped and accelerated.

The organisers believe the timing is particularly relevant as destinations, operators and public authorities increasingly look towards sustainable tourism models and alternative forms of travel.

“River and waterway tourism is one of France’s greatest natural and cultural assets. Sloww! 2027 offers a unique opportunity to bring together all stakeholders in this sector around a shared goal: to make waterway tourism a pillar of tomorrow’s sustainable tourism, ”Jean-François Rial, President of Sloww! 2027.

For Didier Leandri, President of Entreprises Fluviales de France and Commissioner General of Sloww! 2027, the Paris edition represents a defining moment for the sector’s development.

“Sloww! 2027 marks a turning point for our sector. By scaling up and moving to Paris, we are affirming a collective ambition: to structure, accelerate and project river and waterway tourism at the heart of national and territorial economic dynamics. This event must be the moment when all players in this ecosystem come together to build its future.”

A Growing Tourism Segment

The move comes as river and waterway tourism continues to gain momentum across France. Over the past decade, the sector has experienced sustained growth, with annual increases estimated between 5% and 7% in the river cruise segment and even stronger performance across broader waterway tourism activities.

In 2025 alone, nearly 11 million passengers travelled on France’s rivers and waterways, with 97% of the available fleet in operation. These figures underline the sector’s growing importance not only as a tourism product but also as a contributor to regional development, local economies and sustainable mobility.

With more than 8,500 kilometres of navigable waterways, France remains one of Europe’s leading destinations for river tourism. By relocating to Paris La Défense — Europe’s largest business district — Sloww! is seeking to strengthen its international profile while attracting new investors, buyers and strategic partners to the sector.
 

Networking, Innovation and Business Opportunities

Designed as a meeting point for the entire ecosystem, the two-day programme will combine strategic discussions with practical business opportunities.

Delegates can expect a mix of plenary sessions, workshops, roundtable discussions and pre-scheduled business meetings, alongside networking events including a VIP cocktail reception in central Paris. Educational tours across the waterways of the Île-de-France region will also provide participants with first-hand insights into the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

Organisers expect more than 1,000 professionals to attend, generating over 3,000 business meetings and bringing together more than 100 exhibitors from across the river tourism value chain.

Jean-François Rial to Lead the Event

To reinforce the event’s growing ambition, organisers have appointed Jean-François Rial as President of Sloww! 2027.

A prominent figure in French tourism, Rial is Chief Executive Officer of Voyageurs du Monde, former President of Paris Je T’aime, and has served on France’s Interministerial Tourism Council chaired by the Prime Minister. His involvement reflects the increasing strategic importance of river and waterway tourism within the broader tourism economy.

As the industry continues to expand and destinations seek more sustainable visitor experiences, Sloww! 2027 is positioning itself as a platform where tourism development, investment and innovation converge around one of France’s most distinctive tourism assets.

Sloww! 2027 at a Glance

• 2–3 February 2027
• CNIT Forest, Paris La Défense
• More than 100 exhibitors
• More than 1,000 industry professionals expected
• Over 3,000 pre-arranged business meetings
• Ten conference sessions
• VIP cocktail reception for 500 guests
• Educational tours across the Paris region’s waterways

Registration for exhibitors and visitors is now open through the official event website.
 

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