Interview with Luis Conde, President of the Barcelona Boat Show

Barcelona has to get involved with the sea and the America’s Cup will be a great opportunity to do so.

From the 11th to the 15th of October Barcelona celebrates a traditional appointment with the maritime sector: the International Boat Show, an event organised by Fira de Barcelona in various locations of the Port Vell. Horse Magazine has talked to its president during the first day of this fair in a port already prepared for 2024 and the most important event to be held in the city in decades: the America’s Cup. Conde explains where the event is within the European shows, the importance that the America’s Cup will have for Barcelona, if the city is committed to the sector and how it would be an even better Nautico, with new ideas, with greater administrative and citizen involvement.

If I were to land on this dock right now and I knew nothing about the history of this annual fair… How would you explain to me what the Barcelona Boat Show is?

Luis Conde: In short, I would tell you that during these days and on these docks, the boating enthusiast can satisfy all his or her interests. Owners of boats of all types, from small craft to larger vessels, can modernise their sailing equipment here. What’s more… you can find absolutely everything you need here, which is not normally the case in any other sector, such as real estate or automobiles, where you know exactly where you have to go to see what’s new or to meet your needs.

How is the sector doing in figures?

L.C: In general terms, in Spain, around 5,400 boats are sold every year. This average figure has been sustained in recent times. It is a discreet amount if we take into account that the total maritime fleet is around 150,000 boats. This means that only a small percentage of this figure is renewed and the actual renewal of the entire fleet is spread over many years. In things like this it is clear how closely the nautical sector is linked to the pace of a country’s economy. In recent years we have suffered three major blows, such as the global crisis of 2008, the period of the procés and post-procés around 2017 and the pandemic, which brought things to a halt, although everything changed considerably afterwards.

What about the specific numbers for the 2023 edition?

L.C: For this 61st edition of the Show we are talking about 20,000m2 of exhibition space, 240 exhibitors, who have increased the contracted surface area and 160 boats on display in the floating show. This is a little less than last year due to the presence of the bases of the Cup teams, which have taken over part of the space dedicated to them. We expect to close the show with more than 50,000 visitors by Sunday.

Does the city still turn its back on its sea?

L.C.: That is a long time ago. That city that didn’t look like a city of the sea no longer exists. You only have to take a look at everything that has been done urbanistically in recent years and I think that we are on top of and facing the sea in a normal way.

Let me ask you again, is Barcelona committed to this sector?

L.C: Ah, that’s another story. There are fans, that’s clear when you see this event, when you see the pontoons in the ports. What is still lacking is more involvement from a City Council that has turned its back on us over the last eight years and should have seen our sector as something positive and not focused on the elitist. The sea is for everyone and the maritime sector can be as popular as practically any other sport.

Just look at the coastal towns to the south and north of our city: there is a genuine and very normal, municipal love for the sea, for sailing, for the sector. I think that our city council has to take more decisive steps to open up more to the sea, not only in the obvious, but also in transmitting the importance that can come out of it in all aspects.

It is inevitable to talk about the America’s Cup when there is less than a year to go before it is held in these same waters. What will this event bring to the city?

L.C: In addition to getting Barcelona to get involved with its sea, a mission for everyone and above all for the organisers of the event. It is a truly enormous opportunity. Those in charge of the Cup have to transmit more of this emotion to the citizens and not just focus on the life of the bases and the fans who are already won from the start. They have to get everyone excited. For the city in the last decades, the Cup I think is the best thing that is going to happen to it. For sure.

It will put the city for weeks, in the eyes of the whole world and especially of a certain profile of people who will find our beloved Barcelona as something desirable: American travelers, a tourism that has a very interesting profile for us, and nautical tourists. Did you know that compared to a visitor on foot, the one who arrives by sea has an average daily expenditure nine times higher? If we want to improve the profile of the city, an event of this magnitude is very important. Afterwards, moreover, there will be an interesting legacy in the port, which has accelerated the improvement of many facilities.

It is ironic that, in the midst of the America’s Cup, the Boat Show, it seems, will not be able to be held in its 2024 edition.

L.C: Yes, it is. The space is what it is. The show cannot be held with the structure we have. I do not want to say that we are not going to celebrate a Nautico. What is clear is that it can not be done as this on the same dates as the Cup. In addition, each exhibitor travels to Barcelona with three or four people, and the days of the competition there will literally be no hotels and, if there are any, will be worth … well … 3,000 euros. During the days of the regatta, we will do something. mymedic.es Sure. We are also thinking of moving the dates of the show a little bit towards the end of the America’s Cup to take advantage of the competition and finish it with the golden brooch. We’ll see.

What does this event have to do to thrill the people of Barcelona?

L.C: Last year we celebrated 60 years and I wanted to dress Barcelona as a maritime city: put two boats at the airport and one in the middle of Paseo de Gràcia. It was not possible. I would also have liked to dress the obelisk of the Diagonal as a lighthouse and it was not possible either. We have administrations that directly do not let you do things or are very very slow. Nothing to do with what happens in other shows like Florida or Italy. When you arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Miami or Genoa, and from the airport, for example, you notice that there is a great event related to the nautical, both in the terminals, in the streets … that spreads, encourages, gives visibility.

It would be a very good thing if these things were more dynamic and easier. Curiously, it also happens in the private trade sector, which could be a good ally. They are too dependent on their headquarters and without room for improvisation, for example, in their windows. The Nautical is a benefit for the city that remains unexploited as it should.

Let’s go back to the show: What is the most innovative thing that is exhibited these days?

L.C: I would say that the great novelty is everything related to America’s Cup. Everything that is coming a year ahead is in the air. Sustainability is also a central point and in general the design of the boats, which have nothing to do with those of a few years ago. Look, for example, at the bows of the ships. It is not only a question of aesthetics, but also of being more effective. For example, the materials: the hulls are now made of much more recyclable materials.

I would also say, to give you a concrete example, the centralization of a lot of technology that ends up in our cell phones. Everything is much easier now for those who sail, and the ultimate goal of all this is both to make everything easier, with the respect due to the sea, and so that the same respect for the sea is not fear for those who are new to this world. The key is to create interest and make it more attractive.

Speaking of attractive things, what would you add to this event to make it even more attractive?

L.C: Since I took over the presidency of the show, I have wanted to give a good twist to having a Village with stores of the best brands in the central part of the exhibition, combining what is purely maritime, naval, with the highlights of fashion. It is a commitment I have year after year, although it is difficult. It would give an important boost to this event and would attract both those who come for the central aspect, as well as those who accompany him and have a more diversified offer, without losing the essence of the Nautical: to have everything related to the sea in the same space.

Where would this show be at the European level?

L.C: We are very high up, among the five most important, although we are clearly preceded by three big ones: the first is undoubtedly Düsseldorf, in Germany. It is curious, isn’t it? It’s a city without a sea and it has the best boat show in Europe. That is due to the interest in the sector there and above all that it moves a lot, a lot of money. A good part of the boats that are sold there, go directly to the Balearic Islands. The second would be Genoa and the third Cannes. In Italy, design is the priority, and in France, the love for the sea. A few years ago we were above the Côte d’Azur, but in recent years we have been overtaken by the boom for the sea.

Let’s conclude: The city has to get its act together in the maritime sector?

L.C: Absolutely. The administrations, especially the one led by our mayor, must give more energy to the visibility of our sector. Many of us, from the private sector, are already rowing, although we need the administration to see the sea and the nautical sector as something more of our Barcelona.

Thanks to Dufour Yachts for lending us the Smart Electric boat for the interview.