The National Nautical Sector forecasts a moderately optimistic development for 2025

ANEN has released the most relevant data from the second Perception Study on the State of the Nautical Sector in Spain for the second half of 2024.

The study is based on surveys conducted among companies from eight subsectors of the recreational boating industry: nautical-sports facilities (marinas and yacht clubs), accessories, workshops, engines, consulting, administrative management, charter companies, shipyards and refit & repair areas, nautical training schools, boat sales, and recreational and sporting activities.

The sample covers twelve autonomous communities, with Catalonia being the one with the most participating companies, followed by the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, Andalusia, the Basque Country, Galicia, the Canary Islands, the Community of Madrid, Asturias, the Region of Murcia, Navarre, and Cantabria.

Just over half of the companies reported increased revenues in the second half of 2024.

Of the 51.32% of companies that stated their revenues increased between July and December of 2024, 38.82% experienced a slight increase, while a 12.50% saw a significant rise. Meanwhile, a 24.34% reported stable revenues, and another 24.34% indicated a decline.

Regarding the progress for the current year, the 49.34% of companies are moderately optimistic: a 44.08% expect slightly higher revenues and a 5.26% foresee a significant increase.

On the other hand, 26.97% of respondents believe their revenues will remain the same as last year. On a less positive note, 19.74% anticipate a slight decrease, and 3.95% expect a considerable drop.

More than half of the companies that answered to the survey plan to increase their extraordinary investment in 2025 compared to last year, indicating a positive confidence in the sector's development.

As for investment in hiring new staff, the study shows that a 30.92% of companies expect to increase it, a 53.95% will maintain the current level, and a 15.13% anticipate a reduction. Consequently, a 54.61% of companies plan to hire new staff, a 30.92% indicated they will not make new hires in 2025, and 14.47% stated they are still undecided.

Regarding investment in staff training, expectations for 2025 are also favorable. The survey reflects a commitment to stability with a slight increase in training investment. The 38.82% of companies expect to increase this budget. The majority, a 55.26%, believe investment in training will remain the same, and only a 5.92% foresee a reduction.

The marketing and communication area is expected to be another beneficiary of increased investment in 2025. A 47.36% of companies plan to boost investment in this area, a 42.76% will keep it unchanged, and a 9.87% intend to reduce it.

One ongoing concern for the sector is the difficulty in finding qualified employees with the necessary skills and competencies. Only a 5.92% of surveyed companies say they always find talent when needed, a 28.95% say they find it occasionally, while a 57.89% report finding suitable candidates very rarely. Finally, 7.24% state that they never find appropriate profiles.