Profits up for the sailing industry

THE Balearic Yachting Industry, which gives jobs to approximately 8'000 people, generated a total of 396 million euros last year, which is a 4.2 percent increase when compared to results in 2003. This was revealed yesterday by the Minister of Tourism, Joan Flaquer, when he presented the Nautical Sector Quality Plan.
This initiative aims at promoting sailing in the Balearic Islands by offering a high quality service in marinas and ports.
The Quality Plan is trying to harmonise the services which are offered by the marinas, ports and the nearby restaurants and tourism businesses, so that they all have the same level of quality standards and services and all support environmental considerations. With this stamp of quality “the quality in the sector will be assured and settled”, said Joan Flaquer.
For 2005 and 2006 the plan has three fixed objectives. The first objective is to install the “IQT” quality stamp, once businesses fulfil all the established requirements made by the public and private marina association and the “IQT” board. The next objective is to develop the marinas and the complementary businesses in the different areas integrated in the “Q” plan.
The third and final objective for this year and next is to start up training courses in order to improve the nautical services and products.
But according to Cristina Sastre, president of the charter companies association, there has been a drop in the number of large luxury yachts operating in the Balearics because of a “legal vacuum” over registration fees. She called on the government to address this problem, accusing customs and excise of “targetting” these boats.
But despite this, she said, the charger season had been “very good.”