After a reported busy five days, the curtain fell on the Palma Superyacht Show that ran alongside the newly reintroduced Palma International Boat Show.
Record-breaking in terms of land- and water-based exhibitors, the Show even had a surprise visit from Queen Sofia of Spain.
The decision to run the Palma Superyacht Show alongside the mainstream Palma International Boat Show has been proved beneficial even if it did contraversiopnally clash with the MYBA Charter Yacht show in Genoa.
organiser’s strategy to coincide the show with the 1st May public holiday and for it to take place at the same time as the Gaastra Palma Vela Regatta, clearly worked as well.
Official reports state that in the region of 32,000 people visited the Show across the five days. Land-based exhibitors were up 20% on last year and the number of berths up 75%. Director of the Boat Show, Chema Sans, said, “Looking beyond the figures, the important thing is that the visitor profile has been that of interested enthusiasts, of buyers, whereas last year the majority came for a stroll.” This has translated into a greater amount of business, not only yachts, but also in equipment, clothing and accessories.
This year, 55 yachts between 25 and 48 metres long exhibited at the Palma Superyacht Show, up from 42 in 2013. With the long term location future of the MYBA Charter Yacht Show in Genoa and the gradually fading Antibes Boat Show Arne Ploch, President of joint organisers the Balearic Yacht Brokers Association and broker with Camper & Nicholsons, has his eyes on expansion.
He said, “The Show has been better than last year. In fact some of the companies exhibiting have highlighted that it is the best boat show they have attended in the last ten years. Clients came from afar, including the United States, and one of the wealthiest people in the world also paid a visit. The event is destined to become one of the best without losing its special charm. It is not elitist, like Monaco, but is open to everyone. Palma International Boat Show has great potential for growth and could attract in its next edition up to 60 or 70 superyachts, as well as an increase in the number of exhibitors.”
Justifying participation, Steve Worral, from on board electrical installers and service agents, OC3EAN and ETY said: “The Palma Superyacht Show attracted quality visitors, many yacht owners and senior crew and we are very pleased with the contacts we have made.”
With three significant yachts in the Show, Burgess / Oceanstyle, Senior Broker, Jamie Small, said: “We have received an offer on each of the yachts we had at the show.”
Other MYBA brokers were equally enthusiastic about the Show: Marc Händle, Sales Broker from Ocean Independence said: “We had high quality clients on board Mystereand, in fact, on board all of our other yachts during the show and we will definitely continue showing high quality sailing yachts here in the future.” Marc added: “In my opinion the Palma
Superyacht Show has already developed in to the perfect platform for owners and brokers to present vessels in a beautiful atmosphere and at the perfect time of year.”
photo credits: GW-Yachtphotography.net