Mallorca's creative economy thrives beyond tourism

Monocle magazine profiles Mallorca's burgeoning design and craft scene, highlighting how local entrepreneurs are building global brands while navigating the island's love-hate relationship with mass tourism. The article features several key players: lighting and furniture company Contain, founded by Argentines Mauricio Obarrio and Juan Peralta, which has grown from a Palma studio to 14 staff in El Terreno; Anna Lena Kortmann's Studio Jaia, which produces woven furniture after she learned traditional techniques; Isabel Rotger's footwear brand Act, which manufactures in four Spanish factories; and Marlene Albaladejo's La Pecera vintage furniture. The piece notes challenges including difficulty finding young apprentices and government support, but emphasizes the community's resourcefulness and international reach through social media and direct sales. Originally published in Monocle issue 154 and updated in May 2026.