The Balearic nautical sector highlights its economic role and commits to strengthening its competitiveness

The Association of Nautical Companies of the Balearic Islands (AENIB) has taken part in a meeting held between the Federation of Nautical Associations and Activities of the Balearic Islands (FANMED) and the President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Margalida Prohens, on the occasion of FANMED’s third anniversary. The meeting addressed the present and future of the nautical sector from an economic, social, and environmental perspective.

The meeting, held at the Club Nàutic S’Arenal, brought together representatives of the organizations that make up FANMED, who shared their views and realities within the sector. Among them, as the Balearic nautical employers’ association, AENIB reinforced the positioning of the nautical sector as one of the key economic drivers in the Balearic Islands, while also warning of the need to address factors that may threaten its competitiveness, especially in a context of increasing competition between international destinations.

One of the key messages conveyed was the importance of avoiding the consolidation of oversimplified narratives around destination overcrowding, which may lead to a negative and unjustified perception of the sector. In this regard, the association emphasized that boating should be understood as part of the solution, actively contributing to sustainability, responsible coastal management, and the diversification of the tourism offering.

AENIB stressed the need to build a narrative based on objective data, highlighting the economic and social contribution of the nautical sector, avoiding its stigmatization, and promoting a balanced perception among society.

During the meeting, attention was also drawn to the risk of moving towards an overregulated environment or one with excessive administrative burden, which could hinder the development of the activity and reduce the competitiveness of the Balearic Islands compared to other destinations. Therefore, it was emphasized that the regulatory framework and the management of public maritime domains should be guided by strategic criteria rather than purely revenue-driven approaches.

In this context, AENIB highlighted the need to address key issues such as improving the regulatory environment, simplifying administrative procedures, and reviewing tax figures such as the registration tax, as well as aligning permits and concessions with objectives that support the orderly development of the sector, the promotion of boating, and public access to nautical activities.

Likewise, during the meeting, the need to promote a Blue Strategic Plan for the Balearic Islands was raised, aiming to align the entire sector and public administrations around a common roadmap. This plan should include evaluation and monitoring tools, as well as a balanced approach between competitiveness and sustainability, ensuring orderly development and reinforcing the sector’s contribution to both the economy and the tourism destination.

AENIB also highlighted the role of FANMED as a coordination tool for the sector to advance in sustainability, as well as the importance of maintaining stable dialogue platforms with public administrations to anticipate challenges and define joint solutions.

The meeting was also attended by the Director General of Maritime Transport, Toni Mercant, and the Manager of PortsIB, Kiko Villalonga. The President of the Government expressed openness to the proposals presented, agreeing on the need to continue advancing towards a model based on public-private collaboration.

AENIB thus reaffirms its commitment to continue working in defense of a strong, competitive, and sustainable nautical sector, capable of generating economic and social value for the Balearic Islands and consolidating its position as an international benchmark.