A small group of activists staged a protest on Tuesday against the Louis Vuitton event at Palma's Bellver Castle.
Contracimera's action was against the French company's "elitism and touristification". "Political representatives are once again selling us out to tourism, selling Bellver Castle to the luxury brand Louis Vuitton for eight days for €175,000. This is a private luxury event, for which private jets from India, China, and Arab countries are expected to arrive, and that aims to market Mallorca as a global luxury destination and flaunt its wealth." The castle is closed to the public until June 3.
"They want us to believe that luxury tourism will solve overcrowding by telling us that it will also generate wealth. It is neither the solution and nor will it generate wealth. Luxury tourism will continue to touristify our island and accumulate financial benefits for a few, creating inequalities among the population and having a significant environmental impact.
"More luxury means more restrictions, more housing speculation, more private jets, and more water and land consumption. It means sacrificing Mallorca so that a few can enrich themselves. In 2024, elite tourism increased by 10 per cent and is expected to continue growing. In Mallorca, we already have the airport with the most private planes, a large market for private yachts, dozens of golf courses, luxury residential developments. All this, while residents suffer from water restrictions, the rising cost of living, and the total touristification of our island.
"This is not an isolated case. Last year, the French brand paid €573,000 to close Park Güell during the America's Cup (in Barcelona), an event that restricted access to residents for several days and resulted in damage to heritage. Against elitism and touristification, let's organise!"
* Contracimera is a group under the umbrella of the Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life) platform.
7 comments
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Bryan AdamsTrickle-down economics is not to be dismissed. A city solely of natives living on or just above the bread-line creates nothing. There's no spare cash to reach traders and the economy stagnates. A city with a mix of locals and wealthy parties develops as the investments and spending of the wealthy reach out to businesses, stores, restaurants and others. LV spending big will stimulate Palma's economy and their cash will find its way down to natives in the form of supplies, jobs, contracts and so on. It makes no economic sense for locals to protest against LV.
Charles Dalrymple-ChumleyThe vague terms 'wealth creation' don't really explain how these events benefit the islands residents in general. More 'trickle down' economic theory, which has no scientific basis.
LV with its resources can hold events anywhere in the world. And they chose Palma. It's a wonderful boost for the City and places Palma firmly on the map of international cities. But a few mean-spirited antis, probably red Communists at heart, see this only in their terms of their own miserable lives and do what they can to frighten LV away. They don't see the bigger picture, the wealth creation that can follow and the jobs that can be created. The only question they have is " what has LV ever done for me?" Small minds attempting to put a stop to progress.
Just jealousy from poor people who have failed in life.
Another negative article. Why give attention to these 3 extremists. This is not Mes Daily Bulletin. Why not write about how great it is that one of the world's most prestigious brands finds Palma worthy of such an event.
I love the bags. Belver will look so nice with a LV bag. Thanks to visionaries in the town hall.
24 Million is a lot of money and there just trying to make a bit of money what do you want to do at the castle crystal meth it’s good for palmas image , have a Great Summer !