A series of drawings placed on the dynamic advertising screens in the baggage reclaim area of the Ibiza airport unleashed in recent hours the discomfort of many Ibizans, who expressed their indignation on social networks denouncing the falsity of the images.
These images, which showed a distorted version of Dalt Vila, with a minimized cathedral, reduced Renaissance walls and a set of unrepresentative buildings, did not reflect the architectural reality of the city. That is why, before the anger of users, the City Council of Ibiza has communicated with the company NBMedia, manager of the advertising space (and also advertises in other airports such as Palma and Barcelona), to ask them to be removed, a fact that materialized on Friday afternoon. The councilman of Tourism, Rubén Sousa, explained to La Voz de Ibiza that the illustrations were a “collage” made by the company, which he considered “ill-advised”. “They are the same images that are placed in the airport of Palma, Barcelona and others managed by the same company. I have contacted them and they have quickly agreed to remove them, by 4 o’clock in the afternoon they were gone,” he said. According to Sousa, from the company “they have apologized and have clarified that at no time wanted to hurt anyone’s sensibility. They have been very cooperative and have immediately removed them”. In addition, the councilman emphasized that, although he knew the images, “it is true that they were not the most appropriate or representative”.
Outrage in social networks
Criticism intensified on social networks, where users denounced that these unrealistic images did not do justice to the historical and cultural heritage of the city. The vice-president of GEN, Neus Prats, was one of the most visible voices demanding explanations and immediate measures.
“Someone should give a lot of explanations and someone outside should return a lot of money (I want to know how much) PUBLIC, for having put these FALSE images, made with AI of ‘Ibiza’ at the airport. Who is #Nbmmedia? For whom does it collect?”, he reproached in his X account.
For its part, the City Council emphasized to this media the company’s collaboration in resolving the incident without delay.
