Every cloud has a silver lining, they say, and this is surely the case for the Palma Boat Show this year. After a disappointing year in 2012 when the boat show was cancelled because of insufficient show entries, 2013 sees it making a comeback with a vengeance.
In the thirtieth anniversary year of the show, changes to the format now make the Palma Boat Show a fine venue for luxury charter companies.
At the time of the cancellation last year, Oscar Siches, a member of MIAB, the Marine Industry Association of Balearica, said the intention was to take the setback as an opportunity to revamp the show and create “a new model with more public participation, shorter duration of 5-6 days and incorporating larger yachts”.
The planning has paid off. The show is no longer going to be a ‘small boat’ show, only appealing to people in the sailing industry. 2013 sees the launch of the first Palma Superyacht Brokerage and Charter Show, on Palma’s longest quay. This will feature yachts over 24 meters, and present a diverse range of luxury yacht charters.
The result is a five day ‘festival with a maritime flavor’, a lively mix of culture, cuisine, sailing and nightlife from the 1st to the 5th of May 2013, a showcase for luxury charter opportunities, and an event that will better reflect what is on offer in Palma.
The revamped Palma Boat Show is the achievement of a new organizing committee of sailing and yachting associations teamed up with local government leaders to bring the Palma community closer to yachting. This collaboration was ‘fought for’ by Cesar Nuno Pacheco, a keen sailor and Director of the Business Promotion Department, and Oscar Siches of MIAB (the Marine Industry Association of Balearica).
The first Palma Boat Show, which was an innovative concept at the time, was held in 1983 at the Port of Alcudia, and then moved to the Port of Palma in 1984. It has since been continually adapting to the industry and the market, but has always been considered a small boat show. The reality though, is that Mallorca has long been popular with superyachts, where the waters are perfect for overwintering and luxury charters enjoy the spectacular sailing. Historically the local population has not been very supportive of this reality, so one of the committee’s objectives was to break down the ‘them and us’ barrier which has evolved.
The result is a show with something for everyone – luxury yacht charters and brokerage services, with all the features that appeal to the international sailing community, set against a background of sporting and cultural activities, entertainment and fun for local people and visitors.
In summing up the driving force behind Palma Boat Show 2013, Oscar Siches said “we need to educate people about the bigger yachts. We need to break down barriers between the select groups in yachting and the wider public. They are small steps, but they are there.”
