MAHÓN, Spain — As the total wealth held by billionaires hits a high of more than $10 trillion, it is also an epic time for luxury lifestyle tourism. Only days after Virgin Galactic launched Richard Branson into interstellar travel, an unlikely art center was inaugurated Saturday on the Spanish islet of Isla del Rey off Menorca — gathering contemporary art lovers to celebrate the latest project by the Swiss-owned art dealership Hauser & Wirth. The international mega-gallery has been fast expanding its core business by also offering its clientele the kind of lifestyle experience that comes from visiting a remote, unique location. Dominated by its 18th-century hospital, the islet stands in the middle of the Mediterranean’s largest natural harbor, 15 minutes by boat from Mahón, Menorca’s capital. Hauser & Wirth has leased part of the islet’s land from a local volunteer foundation that has been working on restoring the hospital for nearly two decades.

Source: International New York Times July 19, 2021 18:33 UTC