The successful Palma Boat Show holds on to the new version

The 31st edition of the Palma Boat Show which took place from 30th of April to 4th of May on the premises of Moll Vell, attracted 32.000 visitors to the stands of 158 exhibitors and a largest concentration of brokers in the Mediterranean. With an increase of the stands by 20,8% and 75% of moorings compared to the previous edition, the president of the Nautical Trade Association of the Balearic Islands (AENIB), Margarita Dahlberg, made an assessment of the event as "positive, with lots of visitors. The majority of the exhibitors are content, it was very advantageous". In other words, the event has become a reference within the recreational nautical market. In only two years, the show has re-established itself.

This new version, to a great degree based on the project  presented last year by AENIB through the Organizing Committee, evidenced that "there is excitement and hope for the future" according to the president, who explained that when you organize an event like this "you are pretty sure it is going to be successful". Dahlberg wanted to emphasize the remarkable effort by the associates to make the Boat Show beneficial for the sector. This commitment can be seen in the increase of the participation of the AENIB members, from 11 to 21, compared to last year, and in the loyalty of companies like Ferdinautic, Enaval or Nova Náutica.

The associates of AENIB are unanimously behind the new model of the show, set on five days instead of ten "to reduce costs and to promote sales". The associates applauded the incorporation of the superyacht sector for the "added glamour" and above all, the "interest the superyachts attract amongst the visitors". According to some of the participants, the price for the exhibition space should be reduced, the restaurants should offer more affordable menus, and there should be more parking available for the exhibitors.

The public holiday on the first of May attracted the largest crowds, followed by the closing day on Sunday. According to the information collected by the organization, this activity manifested itself in "bigger business volume, not only for yacht sales but for equipment and accessories" and more than 90% of the exhibitors are planning to return next year". In fact, some companies have already made a booking. The satisfaction all around is measured by the fact that many companies have requested more exhibition space, specially in the floating exhibition".

This nautical event, organized by the local government in collaboration with the associations and the companies related to the nautical industry, had more exhibition area available compared to last year : 1.897 m2 of open space and 1.502 m2 consisting of stands. The superyacht area, counting on a considerable increase of exhibitors and 55 luxurious vessels from 25 to 48 meters of length on show, was one of the main attractions  of this 31st edition.

In the opening ceremony, the president of the local government, José Ramón Bauzá, affirmed that "the nautical sector has a great revitalizing effect on the industry, the commerce and the tourism of our community". Bauzá, in his speech, also praised the new format of the show, based on the cooperation between the public and the private sectors and with the capacity to finance itself. For his part, the mayor of Palma, Mateo Isern, described the nautical sector as something "strategic with great growth potential".

Text: Guillermo Esteban Sorio.

Photo: Carles Cabrer Biezma.

Translation: Aila Bell