The initiative, promoted by Balearic Marine Cluster within the framework of World Boating Day, aims to bring boating closer to society and promote access to the sea, training and employment opportunities within the sector.
Port Adriano hosted today the official presentation of Balearic Boating Day, an initiative promoted by Balearic Marine Cluster together with associations, companies and public administrations with the aim of bringing boating closer to the public and opening the sea to the whole Balearic community.
The press conference was attended by Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro, Minister of Business, Employment and Energy of the Government of the Balearic Islands; Juan Antonio Amengual, Mayor of Calvià; Pedro Suasi, Manager of Balearic Marine Cluster; Jaume Vaquer, President of AENIB; and Isabel Teruel, Secretary of the Balearic Marinas Association and Operations Director of Port Adriano.
During his speech, Pedro Suasi highlighted that Balearic Boating Day “is not a one-off action or a simple event, but rather a response to a real need within the Balearic nautical sector: bringing the sea closer to society and making boating part of everyday life again”.
The Manager of Balearic Marine Cluster also stressed that, despite living surrounded by the sea, there is still a perception that boating “is not for everyone”, a barrier this initiative seeks to break by showing that there are many accessible, approachable and open ways for anyone to enjoy and experience the sea.
Suasi especially thanked the involvement of associations and entities such as AENIB, the Balearic Marinas Association, AECIB, the Calvià Town Hall and the Government of the Balearic Islands, as well as the efforts of all the companies that have collaborated altruistically by providing boats, jet skis, paddle boards, diving equipment and specialised instructors.
Balearic Boating Day takes place within the framework of World Boating Day, an international initiative promoting open nautical activities in different destinations around the world. The Balearic Islands are therefore joining this global movement, reinforcing their position as one of the leading international nautical destinations.
The programme has taken place throughout the week across different islands of the archipelago, including visits to shipyards and refit facilities, open days and nautical experiences, culminating this Saturday in Port Adriano with the major final event, the Balearic Boating Festival.
The event will offer free activities for the whole family, including sailing trips, boating experiences, nautical sports, visits to the historic sailing vessel Rafael Verdera, children’s workshops, gastronomic experiences and spaces to discover training and employment opportunities within the nautical sector.
For his part, Jaume Vaquer, President of AENIB, highlighted the rapid involvement of the business sector in this first edition and stated that the initiative represents “a key opportunity to bring boating closer to society and continue strengthening the Balearic nautical ecosystem”.
From Port Adriano, Isabel Teruel highlighted the importance of creating activities that allow citizens to discover the sea and the opportunities offered by the ports and marinas of the Balearic Islands. “Many people enjoy the beach, but they do not always have access to nautical activities. This event is a way to bring them closer to the sea and show them everything they can experience on it,” she said.
The Mayor of Calvià, Juan Antonio Amengual, highlighted the strategic value of the nautical sector for both the municipality and the Balearic Islands, stressing that initiatives such as this help diversify the tourism offer and strengthen the connection between society and the sea.
Finally, Minister Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro congratulated the sector for the joint work carried out between companies, associations and public administrations, highlighting that the Balearic nautical industry is “one of the economic drivers of the islands and a sector with strong international recognition”. He also emphasised the importance of opening both the industry and the sea to society in order to give visibility to nautical leisure as well as the professional and training opportunities generated by the sector.
Balearic Boating Day aims to establish itself as an annual event to continue bringing the sea closer to society and strengthening nautical culture in the Balearic Islands.
