Palma show to expand
By IBI Magazine/David Young
The 25th Palma International Boat Show closed on May 4 after nine days of good weather and even better business, which augurs well for continued growth in the contribution that leisure sailing makes to the economy of the Balearics. It currently generates around 8,000 jobs and it is estimated that annual turnover for recreational boating now exceeds €540 million throughout the four main islands. Almost 53,000 visitors attended the event and a survey revealed that 88 per cent intended to return in 2009, leaving only three per cent not returning and nine per cent undecided.
A planned expansion of the show has already begun with more exhibition space being created by use of the fishermen's dry dock with new moorings for boats and a second entrance for visitors. In 2009, it is intended to occupy the Muelle de Consigna (working docks) to provide space for superyachts and room to erect designer stands for yacht builders and boatyards. At the same time, the floating quays will be doubled in width from 2.5m to 5m, allowing larger boats to moor and assisting the movement of visitors.
In accord with these improvements, new marketing strategies will be implemented to promote the Palma International Boat Show as the most competitive show in the Mediterranean. A memorandum of agreement to work towards this goal was signed on the stand of Ports de les Illes Balears on April 29 by Miguel Angel Grimalt, Minister of the Environment, Juan Gual de Torrella, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and Francesc Triay, President of the Balearic Port Authority.
The show began life at a meeting organised by firms in the nautical sector at Alcudia, Mallorca's largest marina, in 1983 and the following year the first floating boat show was held at the Muelle Pelaires in Palma. In 1994, the event moved to its present location at the Moll Vell close to Palma's Gothic cathedral from where it has continued to develop in size and scope, now occupying 40,000sq m on water and 23,000sq m on land with 183 exhibitors representing a total of 329 companies.
(8 May 2008)
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