The Balearic Islands Remain at the Top of Nautical Destinations: Charter Bookings Increase by 25%

The rental of recreational boats (nautical charter) in Spain has stabilized after the strong growth in demand during the COVID pandemic and, especially, during the 2022 season. From the second half of 2023, activity returned to figures similar to those of 2019, and in the 2024 season, there was a slight improvement, especially in the number of reservations made by Spaniards.

These are the data that emerge from the balance of the 2024 nautical charter season in the Spanish market, carried out by GlobeSailor, which shows that the passion for recreational sailing remains a trend among the most qualitative tourist offerings. The analysis also concludes that customers are becoming more demanding, seeking more exotic destinations, customized experiences, and more quality to enjoy the sea on board. Achieving more competitive rates is another factor prioritized by sailors, who again this year have advanced their rentals, between two and six months in more than 50% of the bookings made.

"The quality of the services on the cruise, but also on the voyage (if the rental is with a skipper), provided by the crew, are the key points to satisfy customers and boost market growth in the coming years," says Olivier Albahary, CEO of GlobeSailor.

In 2024, destinations on the Adriatic coast stood out. For Spaniards, our coasts along with Greece (+8%), Croatia (= 2023), and Italy (+8%) have been the most requested destinations for charter sailing. Of these, Spain has grown the most in number of reservations (+13%) compared to the 2023 season, and particularly, the Balearic Islands (+25%). It should be noted that Spanish sailors whose reservations have grown the most this season have been residents in Madrid (+ 400%).

Other destinations gaining prominence among Spaniards are Turkey, with an increase of more than 200% in boat bookings in 2024, and more exotic places, among which the Caribbean remains the favorite, with an increase of 11% in bookings in the 2024 season and the Indian Ocean emerging strongly (+29%).

Among foreigners, the French have sailed the most in Spain this season, however, their boat bookings have decreased the most (-19%) compared to the 2023 season. Germany, America, and Italy are the other three most important source markets for international nautical tourists sailing in Spain.

Also, catamarans lead rentals among Spaniards. The trend that prevails in the rental of more qualitative boats among Spaniards is the preference for the catamaran, which already surpasses the sailboat, whether the journey takes place on our coasts or if it is a journey outside our territory. At GlobeSailor, 55% of the reservations made by Spaniards to sail in Spain have been for catamarans, while 45% have been for sailboats. If it is a journey in non-Spanish destinations, catamarans accounted for 59% of bookings and sailboats 33%. On the other hand, foreigners who sailed in Spain this season have booked more sailboats (53%) than catamarans (47%).

Although rentals without a skipper continue to exceed bookings of boats with a skipper, the latter have grown to a greater extent in the 2024 season. Up to 55% in the case of Spanish sailors and 14% in rentals made by foreigners sailing in our country.

Cabin cruising continues to gain notable followers among Spaniards, who increased their bookings to spend their vacations sailing under this formula. Also, the rental of cabins on cruises increased among foreigners sailing in Spain.

"If the forecasts for a decrease in interest rates are confirmed, the recovery of the boat rental market could continue or even improve. Customer confidence in the economy and a more stable geopolitical context will undoubtedly encourage undecided sailors to cast off in 2025," predicts Olivier Albahary, CEO of GlobeSailor.