Last Friday, September 6, saw more than 300 people gather on the IYCA for the launch of the ASAP (Association in support of the development and activities of the Port of Antibes) Logbook, related to the development of the Port Vauban, positioned in the lovely Mediterranean yacht charter destination – Antibes in the South of France.
DELIVERY OF THE 2014 LOGBOOK TO THE NEW TOWN MANAGERS, LAUNCH OF THE WORKSHOPS: THESE ARE THE TWO NEW GOALS OF THE ASAP.
In ASAP’s point of view there’s a real economical emergency for the development of the Port.
Intentions must be started today so actions can be pursued soon in order to remain competitive with the other marinas around the Mediterranean area who are offering solutions to the pleasure yachting business.
The presentation done on Tuesday September 3rd showed why there is:
– Decrease of the reputation
– Strong competition increasing in the Mediterranean
– Gaps and weaknesses unsafe
– Accommodation capacity exceeded
– Aging infrastructure
– Inadequate levels of services
– Sustainable development in needs of developing
– Interactivity between the town and the harbor insufficient
– Lack of enhancing the site (eg parking docks =)
– Economic constraints of companies in the sector not considered (area in construction, accessibility for professional etc..)
– No thoughts of growth for the Yachting Industry
Thus the association has decided that by relying on the professionalism of its members, it could work on specifications for the development of the port so that the summary will be rendered to the Town in May 2014 (after the local elections)
By then, ASAP also wants to inform the ‘Antibois’ of the economic challenges the port has. They are often unfamiliar with those as well as the weight of direct activities: According to a study done by the Chamber of Commerce about € 150 million with 600 jobs and 195 businesses and shops. To which it must be added the economic benefits associated with the winter storage of boats and their crews (nearly 6,000 people).
The workshops were launched Friday September 6th during the first BBQ Party which took place on the IYCA with over 300 attendees from various backgrounds: shop owners of Antibes, fishermen, crew members, yachting professionals, members and non-members.
BBQ Party, September 6, 2013
ASAP registered 50 new members on site and every member that came, has already selected one of the 8 workshops to be part of. Those are determined by the way each of them use the port: Walkers, boat owners/users, companies around the port (electrician, mechanic, painter etc…), crew, fishermen and super yachts and captains.
The aims of these workshops: help the town and the port to determine a goal to study the project, its constraints, think and bring commentaries and suggestion to bring a constructive contribution to the project.
Every person in Antibes concerned by the port is invited to participate in this by registering to the ASAP (registration is free).
