Mallorca: Tourism, Life, and Challenges

Mallorca is the largest island of Spain’s Balearic Islands, in the Mediterranean Sea. Many people see Mallorca only as a place for beaches and nightlife, but the island has a much deeper identity. It has a strong local culture, a long history, and important environmental and social issues. Palma, the capital city, is the economic and cultural center of the island and one of the fastest-growing cities in southern Europe.

Mallorca has many different landscapes. In the north, there is the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, protected by UNESCO. In the east, there are smaller mountains. In the center of the island, called Es Pla, people traditionally work in agriculture and grow olives, almonds, fruit, and grapes. The island’s natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle are a big part of its appeal for visitors and new residents.

Mallorca is part of the Balearic Islands, which have their own regional government. Both Spanish and Catalan are official languages. Language and local traditions are important political topics. Many people want the preservation of local life and culture, and they worry that too many visitors could change the island forever.

Tourism became very important in Mallorca in the second half of the 20th century, when travel became cheaper. Visitors from Germany and the UK arrived in large numbers. Tourism brought jobs and money, but it also created strong dependence on visitors. Today, the island faces serious problems such as traffic congestion, crowded beaches, water shortages, and rising rent prices.

Housing is now a real crisis in Mallorca. Many homes are used as holiday rentals or bought through foreign investment, which makes housing less affordable for local people. Young residents often cannot find a place to live in their own towns.

To deal with these problems, the government has introduced new regulation for holiday rentals and limits on visitor numbers. Mallorca also has good infrastructure, such as transport and public services, but these systems are under pressure in the busy summer months. Many people believe the island must protect the environment and local communities to have a sustainable future.

Even with these challenges, Mallorca remains very attractive. Its weather, safety, and lifestyle continue to bring visitors from around the world. However, many locals believe that protecting the island is more important than endless growth. Mallorca is now trying to find a balance between welcoming visitors and protecting local life.

2. Vocabulary Match

Word | Definition

  1. infrastructure | a. reliance on something for support or success

  2. affordability | b. the ability to pay for something without difficulty

  3. preservation | c. money put into something to make a future profit

  4. dependence | d. heavy crowding, especially of traffic or people

  5. congestion | e. the act of protecting something from damage or loss

  6. investment | f. a serious and urgent problem

  7. regulation | g. the natural world, including land, water, and air

  8. environment | h. basic systems and services like transport and electricity

  9. crisis | i. rules made to control an activity

  10. appeal | j. the quality of being attractive or interesting

3. Synonym Match

Match each word with its synonym.

  1. congestion — attraction

  2. preservation — emergency

  3. appeal — protect

  4. dependence — overcrowding

  5. crisis — rely on

  6. regulate — control

  7. environment — save

  8. affordable — nature

4. Role-Play Activities

Role-Play A – “Local Resident and Tourist”

Characters:

  • Resident – worried about housing

  • Tourist – visiting Mallorca

Starter:
Resident: It’s difficult for locals to find a place to live.
Tourist: I didn’t realize tourism caused this problem.

Role-Play B – “Young Local and Property Owner”

Characters:

  • Young Mallorcan – looking for a flat

  • Property Owner – prefers tourists

Starter:
Young Person: I can’t afford rent here anymore.
Owner: Tourists pay more money.

Role-Play C – “Radio Show: Tourism in Mallorca”

Characters:

  • Host

  • Speaker A – supports tourism

  • Speaker B – wants fewer visitors

Starter:
Host: Is tourism helping or harming Mallorca?

5. Mallorca in Comparison

Choose one place and compare it to Mallorca.

Options:

  • Barcelona

  • Ibiza

  • Venice

  • Lisbon

Talk about:

  • number of tourists

  • problems and benefits

  • quality of life for locals

6. Discussion Questions

  1. Why is Mallorca attractive to visitors and new residents?

  2. What problems does tourism cause on the island?

  3. Why is housing a crisis in Mallorca?

  4. How does tourism help the economy?

  5. Why are some locals worried about the future?

  6. Should the government control visitor numbers? Why / Why not?

7. Fill-in-the-Blanks

Fill in each blank with the correct word.

appeal | dependence | congestion | crisis | investment | regulation | infrastructure | environment | preservation | affordability

  1. Mallorca’s natural beauty is a big part of its international _________.

  2. The island shows strong economic _________ on visitors.

  3. Traffic _________ is a serious problem in summer.

  4. Housing has become a social _________ for local people.

  5. Foreign _________ has increased house prices.

  6. New _________ limits holiday rentals.

  7. Public transport is part of the island’s _________.

  8. The _________ needs protection from pollution.

  9. Many locals want the _________ of their traditions.

  10. Housing _________ is a major concern for young residents.

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