The 40th anniversary of the Palma International Boat Show gets underway

The President of the Balearic Islands, Margalida Prohens, opened the 40th edition of the Palma International Boat Show, organized by the Ministry of Enterprise, Employment and Energy, through the Institute for Business Innovation of the Balearic Islands (IDI), and the Balearic Yacht Brokers Association (BYBA).

The Palma International Boat Show, which can be visited until the 28th of April in Palma's Moll Vell, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with a participation figure of 295 exhibitors, 10% more than the previous year, which is a record for the organizers. In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy some 600 boats on display, 260 of them at sea.

The president stressed that ‘the Palma International Boat Show is consolidating and becoming an international benchmark. This is demonstrated by this 40th edition, with more participants than in previous editions. The nautical sector is a tradition in our islands and is a strategic sector for our economy, which generates seasonal tourism and quality jobs.

Prohens highlighted the Government's commitment to vocational training linked to this sector with the s'Embat and Centro del Mar centers. Although the 40th anniversary celebration will mark this edition of the fair, the organizers have decided to launch two actions aimed at strengthening and consolidating this event as an international benchmark for the sector. For this reason, this year the economic impact of the fair will be measured thanks to the collaboration with the Directorate General of Economy and Statistics of the Regional Ministry of Economy, Finance and Innovation.

On the other hand, the organization - aware of the importance of sustainability in the current context and its impact on the marine environment and the local community - has initiated certification as a sustainable event, which is one that is committed to minimising its carbon footprint, promoting inclusion and equality, and raising awareness of the importance of responsible practices. Thus, this year, among other initiatives, the carbon footprint will be measured and a reduction plan will be developed. ‘We provide opportunities and, moreover, we are committed to a sustainable sector. That is why we have extended the deadline for applications for aid to decarbonise the nautical sector in the Balearic Islands,’ he said.