I
n the decade since Marina Planas took over as the head of Casa Planas, the non-profit organization has established itself as an important voice – culturally and critically – in the conversation about tourism and sustainability in Mallorca. In addition to the extensive archive of over 3 million photographs taken by her grandfather that document a Mallorca in full transformation from sleepy, rural island to concrete tourist destination, the interdisciplinary organization includes artist studios, exhibition spaces and co-working facilities, and it has been supporting artistic projects and creation in Mallorca for artists and creatives in different disciplines. In this way, Casa Planas uses research, experimentation and creativity as a way to confront one of the most pressing issues on the island.
“Rather than just data and economic numbers,” says Alelí Mirelman, Adjoint Director of Casa Planas, “we bring in cultural and social concerns to have an alternative debate about the issue of tourism and sustainability.” Talks, exhibitions and visits have been a consistent part of Casa Planas for over a decade and this work has led to the 1st International Congress of the COSTA 2025 Observatory of Sustainable Tourism Culture, which “presents itself as a platform for knowledge, interpretation and interdisciplinary dialogue to reimagine tourism from a critical and plural perspective.” The event, taking place for three-days, between October 23-25, will bring together an international group of researchers, artists and professionals in the field to discuss and analyse the impact of tourism from a variety of perspectives.
