Particularly relevant is the brokeroge and charter subsector, led globally by a dozen large companies, which witnessed a growth in demand, not only just requests for information but also signed controcts from a seriously interested public with high purchasing power. But in the luxury charter sector here in Spain, we’re still stuck with a lack of clarity about our whereabouts, as well as our neighbours having an unfair disadvantage. The major knock-on effect of this is that major charter companies are deserting our shores, thus penalising this market niche, which is fundamental in the Balearics and also along the whole Mediterroneon coastline of the mainland. These two areas are exactly where major efforts are currently being mode to attract luxury yachts to facilities such as Marina Ibiza, Port Adriano, Vilanova Grand Marina Barcelona, the new Port Torraco and the soon to be revamped Port Vell in the heart of Barcelona.
On this note, Spanish professionol associations have called on the Spanish govemment to adopt a series of measures to lessen the harmful effects of an outdated ond smothering set of lows. Amongst them is abolishing the so-called Registration Tax for charter yachts, through which the government taxes f¡fteen-metre-plus vessels used for charter and, as a result creates obstacles to quality tourism and makes the country lose out business to Italy, France, Turkey, Montenegro or Croatio. Other demands include granting the same advantages to the legal status of leaseholder as in France and Italy, helping the Spanish Shipping Register become Internationally competitive, adding 24-metre-plus yachts to this register, and regulating professionol qualif¡cations to offer commercial services on yachts. (Grandes Esloras, number 61)
Editorial