Fresh from a multi-million-euro reconstruction project, the Club de Mar-Mallorca promises to transform Palma into the next central hub for superyachts within the Mediterranean. BOATPro sits down with the club’s director general, José Luis Arrom, to learn more about the development and his overarching vision…

Despite its flourishing tourism industry, Palma is not typically perceived as a leading destination for superyachts, says José Luis Arrom, director general of Club de Mar-Mallorca. It isn’t what you’d expect to hear, considering Spain’s active refit sector and ideal sailing conditions throughout the Balearic Islands. But according to Arrom, there is a surprising lack of regional infrastructure for superyachts.

Faced with this realisation – and potentially millions in lost revenue every year – Arrom pooled together a group of investors to bankroll an ambitious renovation of the existing Club de Mar. The refurbishment was also necessary in order to extend the club’s concession agreement with the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) beyond 2044 – and with an estimated cost of €100 million, the project is now the biggest private reconstruction of a port facility in Spain. “We wanted Club de Mar to rise to the level of international yacht clubs such as the Yacht Club de Monaco,” Arrom says. “So, we needed to make several changes to attract larger superyachts.”

Interview: How Club de Mar-Mallorca’s €100M transformation is attracting more superyachts to Palma