The Balearic Islands promote their nautical sector at BOOT Düsseldorf

The Regional Ministry of Business, Self-Employed Workers and Energy has funded a dedicated space to promote the Balearic Islands’ nautical business ecosystem.

The Regional Ministry of Business, Self-Employed Workers and Energy has promoted the Balearic Islands’ nautical sector at one of the world’s most important business forums, the BOOT trade fair, held from the 17th to 25th of January in Düsseldorf, which attracts around 200,000 visitors each year. With more than 1,500 exhibitors from around sixty countries, the event is one of the most important international forums for the nautical ecosystem.

For this reason, the Regional Ministry has financed a space to promote the Balearic sector, which is considered strategic for the islands’ economy, with around 880 companies dedicated exclusively to recreational boating, generating a turnover of €1.106 billion. In addition, the sector is responsible for 5,145 jobs. This initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Balearic Marine Cluster, which brings together more than one hundred companies and whose main objectives include positioning the Balearic nautical sector as a global benchmark.

The Minister for Business, Self-Employed Workers and Energy, Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro, visited the BOOT fair to support the companies exhibiting there. He was accompanied by the Director General for Industry and Industrial Estates, Alfons Gómez, and the Managing Director of the Balearic Islands Regional Development Agency, Silvia Delgado, the body responsible for organising the Palma International Boat Show together with the Balearic Yacht Brokers Association (BYBA).

The Minister stated that “these actions are very important to showcase the potential of our companies abroad. If we want to increase the visibility of the Balearic business fabric, we need to take part in these events, as they are the epicentre of the global nautical industry.” Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro highlighted that “from the Regional Ministry we work jointly with the sector to design shared initiatives that contribute to business growth by opening up new markets.”

Likewise, the Minister met with the Director of BOOT, Petros Michelidakis, to discuss the role of boat shows as a driving force for the sector’s growth. Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro also held a meeting with Philip Easthill, Director of European Boating Industry, an association focused on boating regulations and currently centred on electric boats.

The Palma International Boat Show also played a prominent role in the promotional activities at the BOOT fair, as the opportunity was taken to present the new features of the upcoming edition of the Palma event and attract international visitors.