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Palma.—The leader of the Balearic government, Jose Ramon Bauza, said that they hoped the Boat Show would be visited by more than 50'000 people. It will be taking place in the old port in the centre of Palma with 160 vessels of all shapes and sizes on show. Coinciding with the big event will be the Palma Superyacht Brokerage and Charter Show. This event is aimed at the larger yachts and 47 moorings for yachts of between 25 and 58 metres have been earmarked for the Charter Show.

Bauza has underlined the importance of the nautical industry for the local economy. “The industry is worth more than 800 million euros for the local economy of which 200 million comes from nautical builds and repairs,” he said yesterday during the presentation. The basic aim of the Boat Show is to give the industry a lift and confirming the islands´ position as one of the leading nautical areas in the Mediterranean.

Events
Apart from the actual show a series of other events will also be taking place including a nautical themed “tapas” food fair, the Maremostra cinema festival and a series of working sessions.

The Balearic government is keen to relaunch the Boat Show after it was cancelled last year because an alleged lack of interest by the ,local nautical world. Instead a floating boat show was staged in Puerto Portals which proved to be a huge success. But this year the Boat Show is back in Palma and looking to attract thousands of people during the five days which it is open to the public.

During the event the Balearic government is expected to come under pressure to scrap the 12 percent matriculation tax which has hit the industry hard.
Palma Boat Show, Muelle Viejo, May 1-5, Palma. Entrance fee of five euros.