The 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels was officially presented at ITB Berlin, the world’s premier tourism fair, with the event set to take place from 27 March to 4 April in the Bay of Palma.
The Illes Balears stand at ITB Berlin provided the backdrop for the announcement, drawing a parallel between two institutions that have grown in stature over the decades. ITB Berlin has been the global tourism industry’s most important gathering since its founding in 1966, while the Princess Sofía Trophy has evolved into one of Olympic sailing’s most prestigious events since its inaugural edition in 1968. Their paths converged at the fair as organizers laid out plans for this year’s competition before a distinguished group of officials.
Among those in attendance were Jaume Bauzá, Minister of Tourism for the Balearic Islands Government; Guillem Ginard, Minister of Tourism for the Council of Mallorca; Pere Joan Planas, director of the Balearic Islands Tourism Strategy Agency (AETIB); Katina Rayó, Councillor for Culture and Tourism of the Llucmajor Town Council; José Ramón Picó, President of the Arenal Yacht Club; and Pep Cañellas, founder and President of FERGUS Hotels. Ferran Muniesa, the regatta’s technical director, led the presentation.
Muniesa emphasized the Sofía’s dual significance as both a world-class sporting event and a powerful driver of tourism and economic activity. “Every spring, thousands of sailors, coaches, technicians and support teams live and work on the island for several weeks, generating a significant economic impact,” he said. “They do so through a model of tourism that is respectful of and closely linked to the sea and our natural environment — values that are particularly relevant to a forum such as ITB Berlin.”
With approximately one month remaining before the regatta begins, registration figures already underscore the event’s global reach. A total of 845 teams representing 56 countries have confirmed their participation in the Bay of Palma. “These are not mere statistics: each participant will return to their country as an ambassador for Mallorca,” Muniesa noted.
Institutional backing remains a cornerstone of the regatta’s continued success. Muniesa stressed that public support “allows the event to continue growing, innovating and improving year after year. Without it, it would be impossible to maintain the organisational standards and international prestige that the Sofía has achieved.” He also praised the involvement of local businesses like FERGUS Hotels, describing the partnership as a reflection of “a shared vision between sport and local business, based on a commitment to the region, sustainability and long-term development.”
Guillem Ginard echoed that sentiment on behalf of the attending institutions. “The Sofía is an event that brings freshness and great value to the sporting and tourist scene on our island,” he said. “It is a great attraction due to the number of people and boats it brings in, and because it contributes greatly to the deseasonalisation of tourism. It adds value based on nature and the values of effort, and we are therefore delighted to be able to contribute to its success.”
The regatta is organized by Bahía Activa, the foundation comprising the Real Club Náutico de Palma, Club Nàutic Arenal, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa, and the Balearic Sailing Federation, with support from World Sailing. Funding is provided in part through the Balearic Islands Government’s Sustainable Tourism Tax fund, with additional sponsorship from the Mallorca Responsible Tourism Foundation.
The 55th Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels also forms part of the 2026 Sailing Grand Slam calendar, joining the Semaine Olympique Française, Dutch Water Week, Kieler Woche, and the Long Beach & San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta as the season’s marquee events on the Olympic sailing circuit.
