Balearic nautical sector promotion

Joan Collins THE Majorcan Chamber of Commerce yesterday stressed its intention to promote nautical tourism in the Balearics by means of big international sporting events with a view to reinforcing the economy and the future prospects of this sector on the islands. The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Joan Gual, insisted that “the Balearic nautical industry is very competitive on an international level”. He added that during the last few years it has ceased to be an elitist activity and become a sector which attracts an extremely large number of visitors to the islands. Gual made these statements at the presentation of the fourth edition of the European Yachting Press Meeting. This is an international meeting between the section of the media which specialises in nautical subjects. The main object of this meeting is to promote the Balearic nautical industry in many of the leading specialist magazines in Europe. The event, which is taking place in Palma, started on Thursday and is due to finish on April 23 (tomorrow). Present at this meeting are journalists from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany and France. All of these are leaders of opinion in the best selling European nautical publications, such as Fare Vela, Sejler Avisen or Yachting World, among others. The international meeting of the nautical media coincides with the running of the Hublot Palma Vela regatta. This event is organised every year by the Real Club Nautico in Palma and and this year 200 yachts are taking part. The Palma Vela regatta is one of the seven great sporting events which take place throughout the season, all of them in the World Class category. Some of the others are: the Dragon Gold Cup; the Flying Fifteen World Championship; or the now traditional Admiral Conde of Barcelona trophy. This year the Admiral Conde trophy will take place between August 14 and 20. During this event classic boats will be on show on the Paseo Maritimo. In addition to this, in August the Majorca Surf Action show will take place on the Playa de Palma. This event will bring together various sporting activities, shows and exhibitions. But without doubt it is the King's Sailing Cup which is one of the most anticipated events of the sailing year in the Balearics. It is eagerly awaited by both professionals and followers of this nautical sector. It is a competition of 11 days duration which last year brought 9'000'000 euros into the Balearics. According to Gual this is proof of the large volume of business which this valuable sector generates. Also present at the presentation of the international meeting of the nautical media were the President of the CNP (Club Nautico de Palma), Alberto Pons, a representative from Palma council, Francisco Martinez, as well as the organisers of the best sporting nautical events which take place in Majorca.