MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association has named Barcelona and OneOcean Port Vell as the next hosts for the annual Mediterranean MYBA Charter Show, for the next three consecutive years, beginning in 2017.

The next host location has been the subject of discussion for for some time, with the association listening carefully to both its board members and the wider superyacht industry. After multiple surveys and discussions, the board established a short list comprising Nice, Genoa and Barcelona.

The decision that Barcelona host the next Charter Show, a decision which MYBA has stated has been in part financial, is interesting, as Spain has been the focus of the Mediterranean charter discussion for some time, largely due to industry-wide confusion pertaining to the much-discussed Spanish Matriculation Tax. However, OneOcean Port Vell manager Paul Cook has highlighted “the easing of legislation on Spanish charters” which, he states, “has had a positive impact on the demand for chartering and cruising in the region”.

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The 2017 MYBA Charter Show will be held across OneOcean Port Vell’s four quays: Spanish Quay, Barceloneta Quay, Deposit Quay and Sota Muralla Quay, offering exhibitors 930m of space, the majority of which lies directly in front of the superyacht berths. In fact, it’s the sizable possibilities this location can offer, namely the ability to berth 68 yachts ranging from 22m to 190m, that MYBA has highlighted as one of the deciding factors. Not to mention ease of accessibility for attendees, with daily flights from 182 destinations, arriving at the airport just a 25 minute drive from the marina itself.

There is of course a desire that in placing Barcelona on the superyacht charter map in this way, more market opportunities will arise, as James Graham-Cloete, chair of the MYBA Charter Shows Panel, explains: “MYBA hopes that bringing the show to Barcelona will further speed up and enhance any progress in opening up the charter market and regulations in these attractive cruising grounds.”

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MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association

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