Yacht clubs in Mallorca and the Balearics face continuing uncertainty as to their futures because of renewals of concessions. The most publicised case is the Real Club Náutico de Palma, while Mahon and Ibiza are among others.
The Balearic Association of Nautical Clubs has 24 member clubs. It is appealing to the clubs' role as "sports centres for the sea" and their promotion of social yachting.
These 24 have an average age of 65 years. Between them, they have more than 12,000 members. The business activity of the yacht clubs is estimated to be equivalent to 1.9% of Balearic GDP.
The association points out that the clubs create qualified jobs for maintenance, port services and sports training. There are 1,132 direct employees, most of them permanent. In addition there are temporary workers, mainly for the organisation of events and regattas, who amount to more than 2,000.
The clubs want the existing forms of management to be maintained. The fears are that new concession holders will devalue the social aspects of yachting and the training. They are therefore calling on President Prohens to seek to ensure that current arrangements continue.