Tag: sailing

Palma Boat Show: A Key Player in Mallorca’s Nautical Economy

I had the pleasure of being involved in the Palma Boat Show last week. As part of Wave Mallorca Radio, we did three days of live broadcasts from three different stands, offering three different aspects of the yachting industry.

I am guilty of saying that Mallorca only has tourism as a major industry. However, the nautical industry in the Balearic Islands, with Mallorca as its hub, contributes approximately 3.1% to the regional GDP. As of 2024, the sector generated over €1.1 billion in annual turnover, supported by 879 companies and more than 5,000 direct jobs, primarily in refit, repair, and marina services. Let’s remember that the majority of this work is year-round, rather than limited to the shorter tourism season, making it a very important part of the islands’ makeup.

The Palma International Boat Show (PIBS) is a major economic engine for Mallorca, generating over €21 million in direct economic impact, boosting low-season tourism, and cementing the island as a premier Mediterranean yachting hub. It draws roughly 30,000 visitors and over 300 companies, significantly supporting the local nautical sector. As mentioned above, we did three live broadcasts on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

On Wednesday, we were with Warren Maritime, a boutique superyacht recruitment agency, which means you won’t be one file among hundreds. They work with a focused roster of vessels and candidates, giving them the time to understand what each placement actually requires. Superyachts operate differently from standard vessels—tighter crews, higher standards, and more complex dynamics. After years in the industry, they know what to look for beyond the CV. They match technical expertise with operational fit, career ambitions with genuine growth opportunities, and personalities with crew culture. It’s detailed work, but that’s what makes placements succeed long-term.

Founder Helen Warren said: “The boat show was a fantastic success for us. We had the opportunity to connect with many of our existing clients while also meeting a great number of new ones. It was an excellent platform for meaningful conversations, strengthening relationships, and building valuable new connections through productive networking. We are thoroughly looking forward to the year ahead and to seeing the business continue to grow.”

Engineering Recruitment Consultant Clare Ferridge said: “PIBS is getting better each year—amazing turnout and loads of interesting people from all parts of the yachting world. Fantastic to have Wave broadcasting live from our stand—an awesome start to the show that created a real buzz.”

For more information, please contact: https://warrenmaritime.com

On Thursday, we were with Precision Marine Engineering, who provide a wide range of pragmatic, affordable, and professionally delivered marine engineering services. They are experienced professionals in the marine engineering industry and have been providing successful services from 1994 to the present day. Their policy is to deliver quality service tailored to customers’ requirements and deadlines. PME has been a family-run business since it was formed in 1996, and its founder, Andrew Wilcox, is still actively involved today.

Operations Manager Allan Liñan said: “The boat show was a fantastic success for us. We had the opportunity to connect with many of our existing clients while also meeting a great number of new ones. It was an excellent platform for meaningful conversations, strengthening relationships, and building valuable new connections through productive networking. We are thoroughly looking forward to the year ahead and to seeing the business continue to grow.”

For more information, please contact: https://www.precision-marine.net

Nauti-Parts has been growing from strength to strength, now employing a wide range of staff and offering services from a replacement Boston valve to supplying tenders to the largest superyachts. They also offer jet ski and water toy sales, rentals, and servicing from their stores in Portals Nous and Port Adriano, as well as their brand-new service centre in Son Bugadelles, Santa Ponsa.

Russell from Nauti-Parts took me on a tour of their new facility in Santa Ponsa, and I have to say it is huge and very impressive. Their winter storage facilities for jet skis are second to none.

Nauti-Parts also provides storage, maintenance, repairs, and a collection and delivery service, enabling them to handle anything from the smallest to the largest of tasks to keep your investment in ship-shape condition. Whether it’s a private or charter concern, Nauti-Parts can cater to your every need.

Russell Fenwick, owner of Nauti-Parts, said: “It was a huge success and the best show ever. We are looking forward to 2027!”

For more information, please contact: https://nauti-parts.com

These were just three of the many exhibitors at the boat show, and the others I had the chance to speak to were all singing its praises. Here’s to PIBS 2027!

Exploring the Palma International Boat Show: A Nautical Industry Overview

After working in tourism for most of my life, it was refreshing to immerse myself in a totally different world last week. The radio station was invited by two different companies to present live broadcasts from their stands at the Palma International Boat Show. The world of yachting is a fascinating industry that employs thousands of people and generates a significant amount of income.

To give you a full breakdown, the Balearics encompass 879 companies generating €1.106 billion in revenue and creating 5,145 jobs, with an annual growth rate of 4.26%, according to a report unveiled last year by the Balearic Marine Cluster. This was the first time a comprehensive overview of the sector had been provided, revealing the consolidation of the Balearic Islands as a hub for nautical activities in the Mediterranean.

Toni Salom, President of the Balearic Marine Cluster, stated in his opening speech: “The nautical industry in the Balearic Islands, representing 3.1% of the Balearic GDP, is not only an integral part of our local economy but also a symbol of our identity and culture.”

I was reliably informed by one of the exhibitors that the Palma International Boat Show is now the fourth largest in Europe. It has over 300 exhibitors and a 96% year-on-year return rate. On our site visit early last week, you couldn’t help but be impressed by the amount of detail people went to in order to make their stand or yacht stand out.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we were with Estela Yachts in the Port Authority building, which was right by the main entrance of the show. They are a full-service agency for commercial vessels, cruise ships, and superyachts, headquartered in Barcelona. They have offices and representatives on three continents and a global network for bunkering, shipping, customs & immigration support, and concierge services.

On Friday, we were with Precision Marine at their stand inside the show.

They provide a wide range of pragmatic, affordable, and always professionally conducted marine engineering services. They are experienced professionals in the marine engineering industry and have been providing successful services from 1994 to the present day. Their policy is to provide a quality service geared to customers’ requirements and deadlines. PME has been a family-run business since it was formed in 1996. Its founder, Andrew Wilcox, is still actively involved in the business today.

Outside broadcasts are fun, as they take you out of your comfort zone and make you totally reliant on a good internet signal. Unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case, but our plan B was to interview people and broadcast the segments back throughout the shows. All of this was great experience for us as we move on to the next big event. We met loads of different people from loads of different companies. It’s only when you get into it that you see what goes into making a successful boat show.

The vibe I got from everyone I spoke to was that this was one of the best shows ever, and they are looking forward to a very busy season. It’s an industry that, in my opinion, should be looked after by the authorities. I came away totally impressed by all the people who work in it, and we look forward to working with many of them in the near future.