Four Reasons to Visit The Palma Int. Boat Show: Celebrating Four Decades of the Event

By Frances Flannagan

This year marks the 40th edition of the Palma International Boat Show (PIBS): one of the most esteemed nautical events that inaugurates the Mediterranean yachting season. To celebrate four decades of PIBS, Superyachts.com takes a look at four reasons why you should visit this truly spectacular boat show.

Between the 25th and 28th of April 2024, yachting industry professionals and boating enthusiasts will flock to Palma de Mallorca’s Marina Moll Vell to experience the very best of the maritime industry, immersed in everything from boat building and maintenance to spectacular superyachts and innovative watersports equipment. 

This year marks a very special occasion for PIBS as it is celebrating its 40th anniversary, now recognised as a key nautical event in the yachting calendar year. There’s an array of reasons why you should visit this boat show, of which we highlight four in celebration of four decades of PIBS. 

The Location

PIBS is located at Palma’s Marina Moll Vell: a unique setting that is located at the foot of the cathedral. This unforgettable location is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the height of luxury yachting, as the scenic Mediterranean backdrop harmoniously contrasts the glitz and glamour of the marine lifestyle on display. 

Palma is a versatile city which offers something for everyone, with year-round sunshine and a kaleidoscope of attractions. The show’s attendees can indulge in exquisite restaurants, relax on beautiful beaches, and immerse themselves in culture by visiting some of the many art galleries and museums. 

The Superyacht Village

A highlight of PIBS is the iconic Superyacht Village, which welcomes a range of exhibitors from brokerage houses, tech and innovation companies and a variety of stunning superyachts. 

The 2023 edition of the show set a new benchmark, showcasing a record number of boats, remarkable consumer trends, sustainability initiatives and industry insights. 59 superyachts were docked in Moll Vell with an average LOA of 33.3m, whilst 30 global brokerage houses were hosted alongside five tender exhibitors. 

In total, 271 exhibitors displayed their services and products at the Superyacht Village last year, and we can only expect the 40th edition of the show to see the same success as PIBS 2023. 

The Superyacht Village will also elevate the crew experience at the show, with ACREW returning as hosts of the Official Crew Lounge. A variety of workshops and networking opportunities will take place here, enhancing crew skills and cultivating important connections, with sundowners every evening adding a wonderful social aspect to the show. 

Sustainable Initiatives 

The 2024 edition of PIBS is set to embrace a range of sustainable practices, with a comprehensive plan to reduce the environmental footprint of the show whilst enhancing social and economic aspects. 

The carbon footprint, waste management and water consumption will all be measured across the course of the show, whilst attendees will also be provided with a sustainability catalogue to guide them towards a greener future. 

The presence of Ethical Yacht Wear’s encapsulates the show’s efforts to not only partake in but to promote sustainable initiatives. This company is on a mission to revolutionise the uniform market with its ethical approach to business: whilst the garments themselves are sustainable, Ethical Yacht Wear also operates on a business model that gives back a percentage of its profits to the oceans, already having prevented over half a million plastic bottles from polluting the sea. 

Industry Offerings 

Going beyond the attendees of the show, PIBS also offers a range of exciting offerings to the superyacht industry as a whole, the most exciting addition of the 2024 show being the Balearic Superyacht Forum. 

Held on the 24th and 25th of April, this event will be the first international superyacht forum in the Balearic Islands, bringing together superyacht experts and enthusiasts to a dynamic event that will host discussions on the future of the sector. Hinged off of PIBS, this exciting initiative highlights the show’s important place in the industry, acting as a space of notable development and change for the region. 

The Blue Startup Pitching Competition is an element of this forum, which rewards innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship in the Balearic Islands with 5000 euros. This competition will take place on April 25th, with the intention of identifying and supporting startups to encourage innovation within the nautical industry. 

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Visitor tickets are still available for the Palma International Boat Show 2024, set to return bigger and better than ever as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Indulge in the diverse range of nautical offerings at the show alongside immersing yourself in the beauty that is Palma de Mallorca: an unparalleled way to kick off the Mediterranean show season.

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By Frances Flannagan