The Association of Recreational and Tourist Ports of Andalucía, Marinas de Andalucía, has announced a forecast of 85% occupancy for its member ports throughout the summer season. This figure confirms the robustness and appeal of the Andalusian recreational ports of Marinas de Andalucía as a top-tier nautical destination, valuing their quality standards that make them chosen over other destinations along the Andalusian coast.
Strength of the domestic customer and international diversity
From the report made by Marinas de Andalucía, the importance of the national user, "who became fond of sailing during the pandemic period and has remained loyal to the Andalusian recreational ports, consolidating their presence in these marinas," has been highlighted by Manuel Raigón, president of Marinas de Andalucía.
As for foreign nationalities, the British lead the list, followed by the French and Germans. Additionally, there is a significant arrival of Polish sailors, an emerging market that increasingly chooses Andalucía for its nautical holidays.
Another notable aspect extracted from this information is the average expected stay of the boats visiting the associated ports, which varies between 3 days and 2 months; this demonstrates the flexibility and capacity of the associated ports to adapt to different types of sailors, from those seeking a brief getaway to those who prefer a longer stay.
Growth of charter companies
The nautical charter segment continues to experience significant growth. The rental of boats for leisure activities remains a highly demanded trend by tourists and clients, particularly highlighting the increase in the rental of jet skis.
According to Manuel Raigón, "we have been observing for some time that more and more people are opting to obtain a navigation license and prefer to rent boats for recreational use, instead of buying their own boat." Raigón has pointed out that this new user tends to be a younger profile who bets more on renting than buying. The price range is very varied, but from 200 euros a day a small boat can be rented among several people.
The members of Marinas de Andalucía also anticipate a reinforcement of the staff during this period with the aim of guaranteeing the best experience for their clients. This increase is usually aimed at the services of marinería, security, and surveillance.
Importance of nautical tourism in Andalucía
Nautical tourism in Andalucía is a fundamental pillar of the local economy and a source of tourist attraction. The recreational ports and nautical clubs of Marinas de Andalucía are benchmarks of quality in their services, facilities, and gastronomic and leisure offerings, providing unique experiences for sailing enthusiasts. All this turns the recreational ports into true centres of tourist interest for the cities in which they are located.