As we are entering the final stages of the high season, the timing is about right to start thinking about the following season. We find initiatives like the Balearic Yacht Destination very positive and welcome. It is necessary to boost the recreational yachting on our islands as an alternative to golf or beach tourism. For that reason we will continue working to extend the matriculation tax exemption on non-commercial yachts (currently 8 m), in order to be able to compete in equal conditions with our neighboring countries. During the month of August an old problem of illegal charters has received special media interest. AENIB has given several interviews and participated in various discussions over this problematic issue.
Generally this season has been very positive for the nautical sector, but still not quite the same as during the years before the crisis. An indication of the turning tide is the large number of superyachts that have been spotted navigating in our waters. It is very important to promote the Balearic Islands as a nautical destination, it will be a guaranteed investment for our economy. The profile of the nautical visitor is exactly what is needed to deseasonalize the tourism – a tourist with high purchasing power who wish to enjoy the gastronomy, the entertainment and the local culture. During the next Monaco Yacht Show, one of the most influential shows in the world, our islands will be highlighted thanks to the Balearic Yacht Destination. The companies Marina Ibiza, Astilleros de Mallorca, STP Shipyard Palma and Port Adriano will promote Mallorca and Ibiza as nautical destinations, both from a cruising point of view as well as service and refit destinations. Of course we would have liked to see also Menorca and Formentera being represented, but even so we believe it is a great initiative and hope it will serve to increase the awareness and the prestige of our islands. At AENIB we encourage our local government to pay attention, and to continue working to improve in this respect towards the next season.
We have always claimed that nautical tourism will directly benefit the local economy. After achieving the exemption of matriculation tax on charter yachts (we should remember it is an achievement of AENIB, with the help of ANEN), the bookings are increasing year by year, attracting a profile of tourist with a high purchasing power who wants to enjoy the holidays to the maximum. With the help of ANEN, we will continue to fight to extend the exemption of matriculation tax on non-commercial yachts to bigger boats lengths, because we believe it would improve the competitiveness of our economy in general, and the wellbeing of our associates in particular. Our islands have everything that a sailing enthusiast needs: great weather, tranquility and paradise-like environment, restaurants, shops, discotheques and professional tradespeople to cover every aspect of boat maintenance and services. The only thing left to do is to get rid of these irrational fiscal and administrative obstacles that weigh on us and scare our visitors away to other more welcoming destinations. Can we really afford it?
During the month of August various media outlets have called me to discuss the plastic pollution in the sea and to give voice to those companies that are harmed by the illegal charter. We were already aware of this “ulcer”, but this year with an increasing amount of nautical tourists, the problem has become even more acute. As difficult as it already is to run a charter operation in the Balearics, with the regulations and excessive taxation, having to put up with illegal competition doesn´t make things any easier. A sector that brings so much to our economy should be pampered rather tan attacked on all fronts. It is not only a question of economy, but also of security. How many of these pirate charters comply even with the mínimum security requirements onboard? How many crew members are trained to help the passengers in case of an emergency? If the Administration does not tighten the net around them, one day we are going to have a major disaster in our hands.
All the plastic brought to us from North Africa by the swell is damaging to both to our economy as well as to our environment. On one hand the pollution brutalizes our best nautical asset – our sea, and on the other hand it seriously damages the marine ecosystem and finally our health. The government and town halls have to dedícate resources for solving this very serious problem.
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