11/02/2022

Luxury nautical tourism plays a very important role in the marine and tourism sectors. Both sectors enjoy an enormous relevance in Spain. Over the years, the nautical sector in our country has actively collaborated to sustain the economy in the different Autonomous Communities of Spain with coastline. This has occurred both on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastline, peninsular and insular, in both cases.

Spain is a country of reference in relation to the nautical sports market, both in small sailing, rowing and motor yachts, as well as in the cruising yachts, mega yachts and super yachts sector, being a privileged destination for luxury yachts. A sector that has a great margin for growth. In today's world and globally is experiencing a strong growth of luxury and luxury yachting.

 State-of-the-art facilities  

And so that our country does not lose its share in this market and yachts do not sail to other markets, entrepreneurs and investors of port assets such as José Luis Almazán PalominoThe company is committed to developing and investing in new state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of this type of boat user.

A clear example of this is the marina for mega yachts that is being built in Malaga. The marina has the participation of Ocean Capital Partners through the company "IGY Marina Málaga". The latter is the designer and concessionaire of these modern state-of-the-art facilities in the port of Malaga.

"The luxury yachting, mega yachts and super yachts sector is a labor-intensive sector specialized in the different trades of the naval field. It is a sector that pays higher salaries than the average in the nautical and tourism sectors. This sector also stands out for its contribution with taxes to the public coffers and the high spending pattern it generates," he says. José Luis Almazán Palomino, investor and port asset manager.

 Economic benefits

Owners in charge of the maintenance and service of luxury yachts look for the best locations to berth their vessels. They not only value the shelter conditions for the vessels, but also the possibilities of finding different services. These vessels require good international connectivity, safe surroundings or access to educational and cultural centers.

Each of these vessels functions as an "SME" that contributes to and benefits the economic system. The services offered by specialized yachting facilities in Europe's most exclusive marinas are an area of strong competition for high quality services. Certain destinations are mythical, such as Monaco in the Mediterranean, and activities linked to its port are frequent. Some examples are the celebration of "formula 1" car races or "tall ships" gatherings. Also the celebration of international regattas of recognized prestige and other events in this line.

The choice of a certain location as home port for each of these types of vessels implies the creation of value and employment in the place where they are developed. In addition to the corresponding contributions through port taxes and indirect taxes. These benefits are added to those derived from the payment of the different supplies, fuel or equipment. The contribution both to the local economy and to the public coffers, causes an important competition to attract this type of vessels.

 Services based on excellence

In this context, ports, or rather, those specialized facilities that host the most exclusive ships, need to offer services where the minimum standards are set at excellence.

In the case of the launch of the new marina for mega yachts in Malaga, the operation "will be an economic and financial boost for the city of Malaga and the area of the Strait of Gibraltar, by incorporating the city of Malaga to the international group of mega yachts and super yachts as a privileged and priority destination in the process of expansion," he said. José Luis Almazán Palomino.

IGY Marina Malaga: one of the most outstanding in the world

IGY Marina Malaga, is starting up one of the most exclusive state-of-the-art facilities. This will allow Malaga to join the list of exclusive international destinations. It is a state-of-the-art marina where the demands of this type of vessels can be met. In this sense, the new marina meets the needs of both users and owners and their guests. This also includes the crews and personnel hired to serve them.

Among the most outstanding international marinas are Puerto Portals in Mallorca or the French port of Sete, as well as the representative Italian marinas of Marina Grande and Marina di Portofino. The French Port de Saint-Tropez, Limassol Marina in Cyprus and ACI Marina Split in Croatia are other examples. Finally, we should not forget Port Hercule Monte-Carlo located in Monaco, Valletta in Malta. These are examples of marinas in the Mediterranean basin that have facilities as competent as those that Malaga will offer.

 Geostrategic position

The case of the Malaga marina has an additional advantage. Its status as a gateway between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean gives it relevance. An ocean in which the marinas of the Caribbean and the North American Atlantic coast are located.

The geostrategic position of Malaga in the Strait of Gibraltar, the historical center of maritime communications with North Africa, the cultural and service offer of the city, together with the powerful endowment of international and national communication infrastructures are factors that score in favor of the development of maritime port projects of excellence in the port.

The exceptional conditions of the airport, the highway network and the high-speed railroad boost the city. In addition, state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of mega yachts and super yachts. This ensures the success of the marina's incorporation into the nautical sector in the port of Malaga.

Increase in private yacht charters

Due to the pandemic situation, COVID is setting a trend from 2021. According to business sources there is a migration of new clients from other sectors to private charter services. The collective of people who vacationed on 5-star cruise ships before the pandemic are now considering charters as a safer alternative.

Thus, the yacht and charter market is growing, while cruising is going through a difficult phase. This situation has been a consequence of the COVID pandemic from which signs of recovery are beginning to be seen.

International marinas

Among the countries with the best port offers in Mediterranean Europe, Spain, Morocco, Italy, France and Monaco stand out. Also other destinations such as Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Cyprus and Malta.

 Beyond Spain's borders, there are European ports on the Atlantic coast that have the right conditions for mega yachts and super yachts. But the harsh climate, as the latitude increases, means that the offer in the Baltic for these vessels is reduced.

 The importance of these commercial ports is diminished by the harsh climate, particularly in winter. This makes their relevance not prominent in the mega yacht market. An exception to this statement is for example the case of London. In this line, the Atlantic ports of the South of France, Portsmouth, Plymouth, London in the United Kingdom stand out. Other ports of note are Antwerp in Belgium, Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Bremen and Hamburg in Germany.