The Reading / Listening - Mass Tourism - Level 3

Thousands of people in Spain are protesting against mass tourism. In Barcelona, residents have sprayed tourists in restaurants with water guns. On the island of Mallorca, 10,000 people took to the streets holding banners that read: "Enough is enough!" and "Mallorca is not for sale." People in Mallorca are angry that their rents are increasing. It is becoming almost impossible for locals to buy a house because of tourism. Property prices are sky-high because companies are buying them to rent to tourists. A spokesperson for Airbnb said: "The people who work in the tourism industry can't afford the rent in their own city." She added: "We believe that basing the economy…on…tourism is unsustainable and has to change."

Residents in tourist areas have many complaints. They say tourism has a negative effect on their lives. Many can no longer find somewhere to live. Some have to move out of their homes because landlords are increasing rents. Daily life is also becoming a problem. Buses and trains are full of tourists with backpacks and suitcases. Towns are having problems keeping their streets clean. This is because of increasing litter. Local people also complain that they cannot eat at their favourite restaurants because of tourists. Spain is not the only country where tourism is becoming a problem. Japan, Austria and Mexico have acted to find a balance between helping local people and sustainable tourism.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Mass Tourism - Level 0,  Mass Tourism - Level 1   or  Mass Tourism - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/28/malaga-protest-mass-tourism-housing-spain
  • https://www.dw.com/en/barcelona-to-up-tourist-tax-as-mallorca-seeks-visitor-cap/a-69722824
  • https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/barcelona-hawaii-amsterdam-tourists-overtourism-b2582315.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. MASS TOURISM: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about mass tourism. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       Spain / tourism / water guns / angry / rent / buy a house / locals / economy / change
       complaints / negative / daily life / buses / trains / litter / restaurants / sustainable
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. HOLIDAYS AT HOME: Students A strongly believe holidays in one's own country are better than holidays abroad; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TOURISM: What are the good and bad things about tourism? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good Things

Bad Things

Economy

 

 

Education

 

 

Intercultural understanding

 

 

Relaxation

 

 

Transport

 

 

Environment

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. SPAIN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "Spain". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CITIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best cities to visit at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Barcelona
  • Paris
  • New York
  • Tokyo
  • Sydney
  • Delhi
  • Shanghai
  • Rio de Janeiro

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. protesting a. The money you pay to live in a house or apartment.
      2. resident b. Saying or showing that you do not like something.
      3. banner c. A large sign with words or pictures on it.
      4. rent  (noun) d. Businesses that make things or provide services.
      5. sky-high e. The system of money and business in a country.
      6. industry f. A person who lives in a place.
      7. economy g. Very, very high.

    Paragraph 2

      8. complaint h. A large bag you use to carry your clothes when you travel.
      9. effect   (noun) i. Using things in a way that does not hurt the Earth.
      10. landlord j. When two sides are equal.
      11. suitcase k. A person who owns a house or apartment and rents it to other people.
      12. litter  (noun) l. Trash that is not in a trash can.
      13. balance  (noun) m. Saying that you are not happy with something.
      14. sustainable n. A change that happens because of something else.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. One hundred thousand people protested in a city in Spain.     T / F
  2. People in Barcelona sprayed tourists with water guns.     T / F
  3. People on the island of Mallorca said their island is not for sale.     T / F
  4. Many people who work in tourism do not have enough money for rent.    T / F
  5. Residents in tourist areas have no complaints.     T / F
  6. Backpacks and suitcases are not allowed on buses in Spain.     T / F
  7. Locals in Spain are having problems eating at their favourite restaurants. T / F
  8. Austria and Mexico want to balance helping local people and tourists.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. protesting
  2. tourists
  3. banners
  4. impossible
  5. industry
  6. increasing
  7. full
  8. litter
  9. restaurants
  10. acted
  1. raising
  2. demonstrating
  3. waste
  4. posters
  5. packed
  6. visitors
  7. taken steps
  8. eateries
  9. business
  10. out of the question

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. protesting against
  2. People in Mallorca are angry that their rents
  3. Property prices are
  4. people who work in the
  5. basing the economy on tourism
  6. Residents in tourist areas have many
  7. tourism has a negative effect
  8. full of tourists with
  9. the only country where tourism is
  10. find a
  1. are increasing
  2. on their lives
  3. is unsustainable
  4. becoming a problem
  5. tourism industry
  6. balance
  7. mass tourism
  8. complaints
  9. sky-high
  10. backpacks

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
angry
change
holding
rent
own
residents
house
industry

Thousands of people in Spain are protesting against mass tourism. In Barcelona, (1) _____________________ have sprayed tourists in restaurants with water guns. On the island of Mallorca, 10,000 people took to the streets (2) _____________________ banners that read: "Enough is enough!" and "Mallorca is not for sale." People in Mallorca are (3) _____________________ that their rents are increasing. It is becoming almost impossible for locals to buy a (4) _____________________ because of tourism. Property prices are sky-high because companies are buying them to (5) _____________________ to tourists. A spokesperson for Airbnb said: "The people who work in the tourism (6) _____________________ can't afford the rent in their (7) _____________________ city." She added: "We believe that basing the economy…on…tourism is unsustainable and has to (8) _____________________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
suitcases
complaints
favourite
balance
longer
only
landlords
litter

Residents in tourist areas have many (9) _____________________. They say tourism has a negative effect on their lives. Many can no (10) _____________________ find somewhere to live. Some have to move out of their homes because (11) _____________________ are increasing rents. Daily life is also becoming a problem. Buses and trains are full of tourists with backpacks and (12) _____________________. Towns are having problems keeping their streets clean. This is because of increasing (13) _____________________. Local people also complain that they cannot eat at their (14) _____________________ restaurants because of tourists. Spain is not the (15) _____________________ country where tourism is becoming a problem. Japan, Austria and Mexico have acted to find a (16) _____________________ between helping local people and sustainable tourism.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) In Barcelona, residents have sprayed tourists in restaurants ______
     a.  with water guns
     b.  with waters guns
     c.  with watery guns
     d.  with waiter guns
2)  It is becoming almost impossible for locals to buy a house ______
     a.  because of tourist
     b.  because off tourism
     c.  because of tourism
     d.  because oft tourism
3)  Property prices are sky-high because companies are buying them to ______
     a.  torrent to tourists
     b.  rend to tourists
     c.  rent to tourists
     d.  lent to tourists
4)  people who work in the tourism industry can't afford the rent in ______
     a.  their owns city
     b.  their own cited
     c.  their own city
     d.  their own cite
5)  We believe that basing the economy…on…tourism is unsustainable and ______
     a.  has to charge
     b.  has to chance
     c.  has to changed
     d.  has to change

6)  Residents in tourist areas ______
     a.  have many complains
     b.  have many compliancy
     c.  have many complaints
     d.  have many complacent
7)  Some have to move out of their homes because landlords ______
     a.  are increase in rents
     b.  are in creasing rents
     c.  are in crease in rents
     d.  are increasing rents
8)  Buses and trains are ______
     a.  fully of tourists
     b.  full of tourists
     c.  fill off tourists
     d.  fill of tourists
9)  This is because ______
     a.  of increasing litter
     b.  of increasing letter
     c.  of increasing latter
     d.  of increasing later
10)  Austria and Mexico have acted to find a balance between ______
     a.  helping locale people
     b.  helping locals people
     c.  helping local people
     d.  helping locally people

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Thousands of people in Spain (1) ____________________ mass tourism. In Barcelona, residents have (2) ____________________ restaurants with water guns. On the island of Mallorca, 10,000 people took to the streets holding banners that read: "(3) ____________________!" and "Mallorca is not for sale." People in Mallorca are angry that their rents are increasing. It is becoming almost (4) ____________________ to buy a house because of tourism. Property prices are sky-high because companies are buying them to rent to tourists. A spokesperson for Airbnb said: "The people who work in (5) ____________________ can't afford the rent in their own city." She added: "We believe that (6) ____________________…on…tourism is unsustainable and has to change."

Residents in tourist areas (7) ____________________. They say tourism has a negative effect on their lives. Many can no longer find somewhere to live. Some have (8) ____________________ of their homes because landlords are increasing rents. Daily life is also becoming a problem. Buses and trains are full of tourists (9) ____________________ suitcases. Towns are having problems keeping their streets clean. This is because of increasing litter. Local people (10) ____________________ they cannot eat at their favourite restaurants because of tourists. Spain is (11) ____________________ country where tourism is becoming a problem. Japan, Austria and Mexico have acted to (12) ____________________ between helping local people and sustainable tourism.

Comprehension questions

  1. What did people in Barcelona use to spray people with water?
  2. How many people protested on the island of Mallorca?
  3. How high does the article say property prices have become?
  4. What can people in the tourism industry not afford to do?
  5. What did an Airbnb spokesperson say was unsustainable?
  6. Who has many complaints?
  7. Why are people having to move out of their homes?
  8. What is full of people with suitcases and backpacks?
  9. Where do locals find it difficult to eat?
  10. Which three countries want to find a balance to help tourists and locals?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did people in Barcelona use to spray people with water?
a) fire extinguishers
b) hoses
c) water guns
d) aerosol cans
2) How many people protested on the island of Mallorca?
a) 10,000
b) 12,000
c) 15,000
d) 20,000
3) How high does the article say property prices have become?
a) sky-high
b) very high
c) a little high
d) quite high
4) What can people in the tourism industry not afford to do?
a) go on vacation
b) rent or buy a house
c) stay in the hotels they work in
d) take days off
5) What did an Airbnb spokesperson say was unsustainable?
a) the rise of the dollar
b) hotel building
c) climate change
d) tourism

6) Who has many complaints?
a) tourists in residential areas
b) residents in tourist areas
c) hotel owners
d) bus drivers
7) Why are people having to move out of their homes?
a) landlords are increasing rents
b) climate change
c) There's a risk of flooding.
d) bugs
8) What is full of people with suitcases and backpacks?
a) airports
b) hotels
c) buses and trains
d) beaches
9) Where do locals find it difficult to eat?
a) in tourist restaurants
b) hotels
c) at home
d) their favourite restaurants
10) Which three countries want to find a balance to help tourists and locals?
a) Japan, Australia and Malta
b) Japan, Austria and Mexico
c) China, Austria and Malta
d) China, Australia and Mexico

Role play

Role  A – Barcelona
You think Barcelona is the best city to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these cities (and why): New York, Tokyo or Cairo.

Role  B – New York
You think New York is the best city to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these cities (and why): Barcelona, Tokyo or Cairo.

Role  C – Tokyo
You think Tokyo is the best city to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these cities (and why): New York, Barcelona or Cairo.

Role  D – Cairo
You think Cairo is the best city to visit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these cities (and why): New York, Tokyo or Barcelona.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH:Look online / in your dictionary to find collocates, information on, synonyms for… the words  

'protest'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'tourism'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • against
    • banners
    • angry
    • sky
    • own
    • change
    • negative
    • move
    • trains
    • clean
    • only
    • balance

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Mass Tourism

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'protest'?
    3. What do you think about tourism?
    4. What do you think of protests?
    5. What things would you protest against?
    6. What would you do if someone sprayed you with water in the streets?
    7. Are Spanish people right to protest against mass tourism?
    8. What are rents in your country like?
    9. What's your country like for tourists?
    10. Should we vacation in our own countries rather than go overseas?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'tourism'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of mass tourism?
    5. What kind of tourist are you?
    6. What do you think of tourists in your country?
    7. What rules do tourists need to follow?
    8. What damage does mass tourism create?
    9. How can tourism be more sustainable?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a tourism expert?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Thousands of people in Spain are (1) ____ against mass tourism. In Barcelona, residents have sprayed tourists in restaurants with (2) ____ guns. On the island of Mallorca, 10,000 people took to the streets holding banners that read: "Enough is (3) ____!" and "Mallorca is not for sale." People in Mallorca are angry that their rents are increasing. It is becoming almost impossible (4) ____ locals to buy a house because of tourism. Property prices are sky-high because companies are buying them to (5) ____ to tourists. A spokesperson for Airbnb said: "The people who work in the tourism industry can't afford the rent in their own city." She added: "We believe that (6) ____ the economy…on…tourism is unsustainable and has to change."

    Residents in tourist areas have many complaints. They say tourism has a negative (7) ____ on their lives. Many can no longer find somewhere to live. Some have to move (8) ____ of their homes because landlords are increasing rents. Daily life is also becoming a problem. Buses and trains are full of tourists with backpacks and suitcases. Towns are having problems keeping (9) ____ streets clean. This is because of increasing (10) ____. Local people also complain that they cannot eat at their favourite restaurants because of tourists. Spain is not the (11) ____ country where tourism is becoming a problem. Japan, Austria and Mexico have acted to find a balance (12) ____ helping local people and sustainable tourism.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     protests     (b)     protesting     (c)     protest     (d)     protested    
    2. (a)     watery     (b)     water     (c)     watered     (d)     waters    
    3. (a)     many     (b)     all     (c)     plenty     (d)     enough    
    4. (a)     at     (b)     for     (c)     so     (d)     to    
    5. (a)     lend     (b)     rent     (c)     lent     (d)     rend    
    6. (a)     basting     (b)     pasting     (c)     basing     (d)     fasting    
    7. (a)     infect     (b)     confect     (c)     effect     (d)     reflect    
    8. (a)     in     (b)     up     (c)     out     (d)     down    
    9. (a)     there     (b)     these     (c)     them     (d)     their    
    10. (a)     litter     (b)     latter     (c)     letter     (d)     later    
    11. (a)     only     (b)     simply     (c)     just     (d)     justly    
    12. (a)     among     (b)     aside     (c)     between     (d)     beside

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. detessrni have sprayed tourists
    2. holding nrbnaes
    3. It is becoming almost ilebspomsi
    4. ryertppo prices
    5. the tourism sndrtiyu
    6. basing the meocnoy on tourism

    Paragraph 2

    1. many lptsomiacn
    2. tourism has a eveintga effect
    3. backpacks and ueicastss
    4. because of increasing teritl
    5. find a nclbaae
    6. easlibasutn tourism

    Put the text back together

    (...)  effect on their lives. Many can no longer find somewhere to live. Some have to move out of their homes because
    (...)  angry that their rents are increasing. It is becoming almost impossible for locals to buy a house because
    (...)  clean. This is because of increasing litter. Local people also complain that they cannot eat at their favourite
    (...)  of tourism. Property prices are sky-high because companies are buying them to rent to tourists. A spokesperson
    (...)  city." She added: "We believe that basing the economy…on…tourism is unsustainable and has to change."
    (...)  restaurants because of tourists. Spain is not the only country where tourism is becoming a problem. Japan, Austria
    (...)  landlords are increasing rents. Daily life is also becoming a problem. Buses and trains are full of tourists with
    (...)  for Airbnb said: "The people who work in the tourism industry can't afford the rent in their own
    (...)  Residents in tourist areas have many complaints. They say tourism has a negative
    (...)  banners that read: "Enough is enough!" and "Mallorca is not for sale." People in Mallorca are
    (  1  )  Thousands of people in Spain are protesting against mass tourism. In Barcelona, residents have sprayed
    (...)  backpacks and suitcases. Towns are having problems keeping their streets
    (...)  tourists in restaurants with water guns. On the island of Mallorca, 10,000 people took to the streets holding
    (...)  and Mexico have acted to find a balance between helping local people and sustainable tourism.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. in   are   mass   People   Spain   against   tourism   .   protesting
    2. tourists   sprayed   with   water   guns   .   in   restaurants   Residents
    3. their   rents   are   that   angry   People   are   increasing   .
    4. buying   Companies   to   rent   to   tourists   .   are   them
    5. work   tourism   industry   .   people   The   in   the   who
    6. tourist   Residents   areas   complaints   .   many   have   in
    7. with   full   are   backpacks   .   tourists   The   trains   of
    8. keeping   are   streets   problems   Towns   having   their   clean   .
    9. eat   cannot   favourite   at   their   They   restaurants   .
    10. problem   .   only   a   is   tourism   where   The   country

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Thousands of people in Spain are protested / protesting against mass tourism. In Barcelona, residents have sprayed / spayed tourists in restaurants with watery / water guns. On the island of Mallorca, 10,000 people took / gave to the streets holding banners that read: "Enough is enough!" and "Mallorca is not for sell / sale." People in Mallorca are angry that their rents are increasing. It is becoming almost impossible for / to locals to buy a house because of tourism. Property / Properly prices are sky-high because companies are buying them to lend / rent to tourists. A spokesperson for Airbnb said: "The people who work in the tourism industry can't afford / effort the rent in their own city." She added: "We believe that basing the economy…on…tourism is unsustainable and has to charge / change."

    Residents in tourist areas have many complaints / complains. They say tourism has a negative effect / affect on their lives. Many can no longer find / fund somewhere to live. Some have to move out of their homes because landlords are decreasing / increasing rents. Daily life is also becoming a problem. Buses and trains are fill / full of tourists with backpacks and suitcases. Towns are having problems keeping their streets / street clean. This is because of increasing letter / litter. Local people also complain that they cannot eat at / on their favourite restaurants because of tourists. Spain is not the just / only country where tourism is becoming a problem. Japan, Austria and Mexico have acted to find a balance / balancing between helping local people and sustainable tourism.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Th__s_nds  _f  p__pl_  _n  Sp__n  _r_  pr_t_st_ng  _g__nst  m_ss  t__r_sm.  _n  B_rc_l_n_,  r_s_d_nts  h_v_  spr_y_d  t__r_sts  _n  r_st__r_nts  w_th  w_t_r  g_ns.  _n  th_  _sl_nd  _f  M_ll_rc_,  10,000  p__pl_  t__k  t_  th_  str__ts  h_ld_ng  b_nn_rs  th_t  r__d:  "_n__gh  _s  _n__gh!"  _nd  "M_ll_rc_  _s  n_t  f_r  s_l_."  P__pl_  _n  M_ll_rc_  _r_  _ngry  th_t  th__r  r_nts  _r_  _ncr__s_ng.  _t  _s  b_c_m_ng  _lm_st  _mp_ss_bl_  f_r  l_c_ls  t_  b_y  _  h__s_  b_c__s_  _f  t__r_sm.  Pr_p_rty  pr_c_s  _r_  sky-h_gh  b_c__s_  c_mp_n__s  _r_  b_y_ng  th_m  t_  r_nt  t_  t__r_sts.  _  sp_k_sp_rs_n  f_r  __rbnb  s__d:  "Th_  p__pl_  wh_  w_rk  _n  th_  t__r_sm  _nd_stry  c_n't  _ff_rd  th_  r_nt  _n  th__r  _wn  c_ty."  Sh_  _dd_d:  "W_  b_l__v_  th_t  b_s_ng  th_  _c_n_my…_n…t__r_sm  _s  _ns_st__n_bl_  _nd  h_s  t_  ch_ng_."

    R_s_d_nts  _n  t__r_st  _r__s  h_v_  m_ny  c_mpl__nts.  Th_y  s_y  t__r_sm  h_s  _  n_g_t_v_  _ff_ct  _n  th__r  l_v_s.  M_ny  c_n  n_  l_ng_r  f_nd  s_m_wh_r_  t_  l_v_.  S_m_  h_v_  t_  m_v_  __t  _f  th__r  h_m_s  b_c__s_  l_ndl_rds  _r_  _ncr__s_ng  r_nts.  D__ly  l_f_  _s  _ls_  b_c_m_ng  _  pr_bl_m.  B_s_s  _nd  tr__ns  _r_  f_ll  _f  t__r_sts  w_th  b_ckp_cks  _nd  s__tc_s_s.  T_wns  _r_  h_v_ng  pr_bl_ms  k__p_ng  th__r  str__ts  cl__n.  Th_s  _s  b_c__s_  _f  _ncr__s_ng  l_tt_r.  L_c_l  p__pl_  _ls_  c_mpl__n  th_t  th_y  c_nn_t  __t  _t  th__r  f_v__r_t_  r_st__r_nts  b_c__s_  _f  t__r_sts.  Sp__n  _s  n_t  th_  _nly  c__ntry  wh_r_  t__r_sm  _s  b_c_m_ng  _  pr_bl_m.  J_p_n,  __str__  _nd  M_x_c_  h_v_  _ct_d  t_  f_nd  _  b_l_nc_  b_tw__n  h_lp_ng  l_c_l  p__pl_  _nd  s_st__n_bl_  t__r_sm.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    thousands of people in spain are protesting against mass tourism in barcelona residents have sprayed tourists in restaurants with water guns on the island of mallorca 10000 people took to the streets holding banners that read enough is enough and mallorca is not for sale people in mallorca are angry that their rents are increasing it is becoming almost impossible for locals to buy a house because of tourism property prices are skyhigh because companies are buying them to rent to tourists a spokesperson for airbnb said the people who work in the tourism industry cant afford the rent in their own city she added we believe that basing the economyontourism is unsustainable and has to change

    residents in tourist areas have many complaints they say tourism has a negative effect on their lives many can no longer find somewhere to live some have to move out of their homes because landlords are increasing rents daily life is also becoming a problem buses and trains are full of tourists with backpacks and suitcases towns are having problems keeping their streets clean this is because of increasing litter local people also complain that they cannot eat at their favourite restaurants because of tourists spain is not the only country where tourism is becoming a problem japan austria and mexico have acted to find a balance between helping local people and sustainable tourism

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThousandsofpeopleinSpainareprotestingagainstmasstourism.InBar
    celona,residentshavesprayedtouristsinrestaurantswithwaterguns.
    OntheislandofMallorca,10,000peopletooktothestreetsholdingbanne
    rsthatread:"Enoughisenough!"and"Mallorcaisnotforsale."PeopleinM
    allorcaareangrythattheirrentsareincreasing.Itisbecomingalmostim
    possibleforlocalstobuyahousebecauseoftourism.Propertypricesares
    ky-highbecausecompaniesarebuyingthemtorenttotourists.Aspokes
    personforAirbnbsaid:"Thepeoplewhoworkinthetourismindustrycan'
    taffordtherentintheirowncity."Sheadded:"Webelievethatbasingthe
    economy…on…tourismisunsustainableandhastochange."Residentsi
    ntouristareashavemanycomplaints.Theysaytourismhasanegativeef
    fectontheirlives.Manycannolongerfindsomewheretolive.Somehavet
    omoveoutoftheirhomesbecauselandlordsareincreasingrents.Dailylif
    eisalsobecomingaproblem.Busesandtrainsarefulloftouristswithback
    packsandsuitcases.Townsarehavingproblemskeepingtheirstreetscl
    ean.Thisisbecauseofincreasinglitter.Localpeoplealsocomplainthatth
    eycannoteatattheirfavouriterestaurantsbecauseoftourists.Spainisn
    ottheonlycountrywheretourismisbecomingaproblem.Japan,Austria
    andMexicohaveactedtofindabalancebetweenhelpinglocalpeopleand
    sustainabletourism.

    Free writing

    Write about mass tourism for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    It's better for people to go on vacation in their own country. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. MASS TOURISM: Make a poster about mass tourism. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. DOMESTIC TRAVEL: Write a magazine article about asking people to vacation in their own country rather than travel abroad. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on mass tourism. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on mass tourism. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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