Club de Mar-Mallorca, Palma’s leading yacht club with more than fifty years of history, stands as a benchmark throughout the Mediterranean. Today, it is going through a period of transcendental change. A port in full transformation with a project that seeks to promote high environmental efficiency and modernise the layout of its buildings, giving a new air to its maritime façade. Taking advantage of the fact that the inauguration of the project and the new facilities is scheduled for the end of the summer, we interviewed its Managing Director, José Luis Arrom.
Where is Club de Mar now compared to its beginnings in the early 70s?
Club de Mar-Mallorca is going through one of the most significant transformations that the institution has experienced in its more than 50 years of existence. We are in the middle of building a completely new club that is committed to modernity, sustainability and efficiency as a sports club, but always preserving the excellence and know-how that characterises the club. This project, which we have initiated with the aim of improving the service to our members and visitors, is going to have a surprising impact not only on the island of Mallorca but in the whole Mediterranean, as there will be no other yacht club with the scope and services that the Club de Mar-Mallorca will offer at the end of the renovation work. So, to answer your question, this is one of the club’s best moments.
How has Club de Mar’s vision evolved since its origins focused on the promotion of sport?
Water sports, sailing and canoeing, are one of the fundamental pillars of the club. Since its inception, the Club de Mar-Mallorca has continuously promoted their practice until today, offering quality teaching with the best coaches and some of the best facilities in the case of canoeing at the Can Barbarà dock. A few days ago our paddler Elena Reolid competed in the Azores in the European Sea Kayak Championships, having just won the Spanish Cup in the U23 category. The reigning world champion in this speciality in Veterans is also one of our athletes: Donatella Monteleone. We have official canoeing and sailing teams that compete at local, national and international levels, but we consider it essential to raise awareness of these sports and this is where our Summer Campus plays a fundamental role. Last year, more than 1,600 children had the opportunity to have their first contact with these activities thanks to this initiative.
What role does sea education play in the Club de Mar and how do you involve the youngest members?
This is crucial. We must educate in the respect and care of the sea, and not only the youngest, but also adults. Our camps and activities with schools always include environmental education modules. Teaching these values is a basic part of our ideology. The best way to do this is by practising nautical sports such as those we offer in our sports academy, where canoeing and sailing classes are given. Last year, the Summer Campus we have just mentioned welcomed 320 children between 6 and 17 years old. In total, adding the campus, our sports schools and the activities coordinated with schools, last year over 1,600 people got to know and practice nautical sports thanks to Club de Mar-Mallorca.
What is the profile of Club de Mar members and users, and have you noticed an increase in international profiles?
The profile of the members of our club has changed over the years. In the first stage, in the early years of the club, most of the members were local or national. Nowadays, due to the growth of the yachting industry in our community and the tourist attraction of the Balearic Islands, the number of members from other countries is increasing. However, despite the different nationalities, our members and guests feel an active part of the Club de Mar-Mallorca. For the club, the members are its purpose and that is why the service offered to them is distinguished by its quality, the best attention to detail, and an efficient and fast customer service.
April is the month of the Palma International Boat Show, what image does the international yachting sector have of Mallorca and its marinas?
Mallorca is a highly sought-after international destination in the nautical sector. It is one of the pearls of the Mediterranean. We enjoy a location where numerous regattas are held and where water sports can be practised all year round, due to its weather conditions and location, as well as the destination itself, which offers excellent quality in its hotels and services. On an international level, in the nautical sector, I think there is still a long way to go in Mallorca, but it is being done steadily with sustained and sustainable growth and the Club de Mar-Mallorca provides great value with the complete remodelling of its facilities. The Palma International Boat Show has already established itself as the opening of the boat show season and is the most important floating show held in the Mediterranean. It is an important point of reference, and this year we will be present with our own stand. In fact, at the Boat Show we will be presenting our classic boat regatta, the Illes Balears Clàssics, a unique opportunity in Mallorca to enjoy these jewels of maritime history that everyone is invited to see from the 14th to the 18th of August at their moorings at the Club de Mar-Mallorca.
What can the transformation of the Club de Mar represent for the city of Palma at the same time as the renovation of the seafront promenade?
The renovation of the Club de Mar-Mallorca is going to be very positive for Palma. We are going to open up to the public what will be one of the most important yacht clubs in the Mediterranean. Obviously, we will keep part of the facilities with exclusive access for members, as maintaining their comfort and peace of mind is one of our fundamental pillars. However, the commercial area and access to a large part of the facilities will be open so pedestrians can enjoy a pleasant walk by the sea. In addition to all this, there is the total makeover of Palma’s Paseo Marítimo, a project that, according to what we have seen in the media so far, is going to offer a unique experience to passers-by. The quality of our club’s facilities together with the opening of the new Paseo Marítimo will be a wonderful and positive change for the city’s seafront.
What does a yacht club need to be exclusive and form part of the luxury circuit at the level of destinations such as, for example, St. Tropez?
The exclusivity of a yacht club lies in the services it offers, the quality of its facilities and staff that identifies the real needs of its members and clients. And this is what Club de Mar-Mallorca offers to all those who moor at our facilities. We have decades of experience in catering to the most exclusive clients and with the highest level of commitment. We offer discretion, security, experienced staff, a privileged location, and a package of services so that, during your stay, you have everything you need within reach. To all this, we now also offer the best and most modern facilities in the Mediterranean. It’s not easy to beat that.
How much connection is there between Club de Mar and the real estate sector in Mallorca?
Currently, Club de Mar-Mallorca is an attraction at all levels. The people who use and visit our facilities come to visit, sometimes for the first time, sometimes on a regular basis, our beautiful island to enjoy its charms. Once they have discovered Mallorca, almost all of them come back and, why not, many of them consider buying a property.
How can you maintain a balance as a port receiving cruise ships that promote mass tourism versus receiving some of the largest and most famous private yachts in the world?
The location of the Club de Mar-Mallorca has always been the same since its inception and has managed to maintain its exclusivity and discretion being next to one of the busiest cruise ports in the Mediterranean. It has never been a problem, as those who have their boat moored in our club do not perceive the intrusiveness of the cruise ships, nor will they perceive it. We are aware that it is essential that none of this changes and we will ensure we keep it that way when the new facilities are opened. We will maintain the same spirit as always.
Sustainability is one of the Club de Mar’s major commitments, what actions would you highlight of all those related to this necessary approach?
Sustainability and care for the environment has always been present at Club de Mar-Mallorca and we have been strengthening our sustainability plan over the years. However, the new facilities construction has been an excellent opportunity to work more intensively on the application of sustainable regulations. The essential axes of the new Club de Mar-Mallorca are efficiency, energy saving and self-consumption. To achieve this, we will install solar panels on the roof of the new buildings to provide them with clean energy. We will have ecological air conditioning and Flovac, an innovative system in the waste-water evacuation network. This pneumatic installation will reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. In addition, the entire vegetation cover of the new club will be fed by a drip irrigation system that reduces water consumption to a minimum. We will also install a new desalination plant to serve the club and thus reduce the city’s consumption of drinking water. Another one of our objectives is to commit to a “Zero Plastic” policy in all our facilities in order to avoid the generation of plastic waste.
Technological innovation is also part of the complete renovation plan for the Club de Mar, what are the keys to this innovation?
Just as in the application of effective and achievable sustainable standards, the new club’s facilities are also committed to innovation, with the aim of raising our efficiency to the highest standards. This is the quickest and most direct way to further improve the service we offer our members and visitors. The new Digital Direct Control system, the DDC, plays a key role in this respect. It will coordinate and manage everything that happens throughout our facilities in a fully optimised way. It will also detect malfunctions and breakdowns instantly through continuous self-diagnosis. Consumption of water, fuel, energy, alarms, air conditioning, lighting, irrigation, fire prevention, moorings. Everything will be instantly controlled from a single digital centre.
How do you see the future of the nautical sector in Mallorca?
The nautical tourism is a sector in full growth in Mallorca and there is still room for development. However, precisely for this reason, it would be necessary to address a strategy to channel and plan it in the most appropriate way to avoid reaching a saturation that would be detrimental to all. Mallorca has already become a world reference in refit and there are even routes for large yacht-carrying vessels that have the island as one of their bases. We must take care of the market to be able to continue at this level and maintain our prestige.
And how do you see the evolution of Mallorca in the coming years?
How tourism has evolved in Mallorca has been remarkable. Initially known mainly for its beaches and sunny climate, the island has diversified its offer to adapt to the changing demands of its tourists. We have seen a shift towards sustainable tourism, the promotion of cultural and sport activities and the development of rural tourism and agrotourism. Sustainability initiatives have been key. Mallorca has taken important steps to protect its natural and cultural environment, promoting responsible tourism practices and the conservation of protected areas such as the national maritime and terrestrial park of the Cabrera archipelago, the natural park of S’Albufera, Mondragó, Sa Dragonera, of course, the Serra de la Tramontana, etc. This not only helps to preserve the destination in the long term, but also attracts visitors who value sustainable tourism. I believe that the future of tourism in Mallorca is promising, as long as a sustainable approach continues to be promoted and the impacts of mass tourism are carefully managed. Challenges include finding a balance between preserving the environment and meeting the needs of visitors, as well as maintaining the authenticity and quality of the tourist experience.
What is your favourite Sunday plan in Mallorca?
I would say that I have two favourite plans, one in winter and one in summer, but mainly in both there is only one idea and principle which is the enjoyment of family and friends in a relaxing atmosphere.
A home plan and PAELLA in winter and a sailing plan and TRAMPÓ in summer; as you can see in my plans, I do not depart from the principle of MALLORQUINEAR.
“MALLORQUINEAR”; An expression that suggests the idea of a person who embodies the traditions, norms, and values characteristic of MALLORCA.
