Cash boost for nautical sector

By Humphrey Carter THE Balearic government yesterday pledged to make a cash injection into the local nautical industry but the Chamber of Commerce wants more institutional support to help the sector compete against new destinations. Joan Gual de Torrella, president of the Majorca, Ibiza and Formentera chamber of commerce yesterday signed an agreement with the regional ministry for finance and innovation which will result in the government investing 200'000 euros to help boost the nautical sector's web site www.balearsnautic.com. The site was only launched in April 2004, but last year it received an average of 4.684 hits a month and that has already risen by a third this year. However, Gual de Torrella said that while the nautical industry was once a “purely sporting” sector, it has since developed into a key part of the future of Balearic tourism and should therefore be given greater support. “We need to be thinking long term,” he said, “we need help in consolidating and improving the Balearic industry. Spain, France and Italy are the market leaders and best prepared to handle nautical tourism, but we have to look to the future and make sure we remain competitive and at the top of our business,” he added. “Nautical tourism is a volatile industry, people like to constantly try new destinations, but the Balearics should be capable of attracting visitors for its installations, facilities and services as well as its beauty,” he said. At the moment, there are 271 local marine companies registered with the web site which provides a wealth of vital information about the Balearic marine sector, as well as representing a total of 63 marinas and ports. The site can also be viewed in four different languages including English. The minister for Finance and Innovation, Lluis Ramis de Ayreflor, hinted that the government is prepared to help fund the web site for a further two years. By then, he hopes that the companies involved will be able to finance it themselves.