International tourism and its impact on local cultures is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing roughly once every test cycle. Based on analysis of past exams from 2018-2023, this topic has featured in approximately 15% of all cultural-themed questions, making it highly relevant for IELTS candidates.
The effects of cultural exchange on societal values suggests that understanding this topic is crucial for achieving a high band score. Let’s examine a recent IELTS question:
Some people believe that international tourism has negative effects on local traditions and cultural practices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Question Analysis
This is a clear agree/disagree essay that requires:
- A clear position on tourism’s impact on local culture
- Specific examples of cultural effects
- Well-structured arguments
- A balanced perspective
International tourists taking photos of traditional cultural performance
Sample Essays
Band 8.5 Essay
International tourism’s influence on local cultures is a complex phenomenon that I believe has both positive and negative implications, though the benefits generally outweigh the drawbacks.
Tourism can indeed help preserve and revitalize local traditions. When visitors show interest in local customs, festivals, and artisanal crafts, it often leads to increased pride and investment in cultural heritage. For instance, in Kyoto, Japan, the tourism industry has helped maintain traditional tea ceremonies and geisha culture, providing economic incentives for younger generations to continue these practices.
However, The impact of tourism on local economies demonstrates that commercialization can sometimes lead to the dilution of authentic cultural experiences. In some cases, traditional rituals may be modified or shortened to accommodate tourist schedules, potentially compromising their original significance.
Nevertheless, cultural exchange through tourism often leads to positive adaptations rather than degradation. Many communities have successfully balanced preservation with innovation, creating sustainable models that protect their heritage while embracing modern opportunities. The Maori in New Zealand exemplify this approach, maintaining their cultural integrity while sharing their traditions with visitors in a controlled and respectful manner.
In conclusion, while tourism can pose challenges to local customs, its overall impact tends to be positive when properly managed, often serving as a catalyst for cultural preservation and revival.
Band 6.5 Essay
I partly agree that international tourism affects local traditions and cultural practices negatively, but there are also some positive effects.
Firstly, tourism can damage local culture. When many tourists come to traditional places, local people sometimes change their customs to make money. For example, in Thailand, some temples become too commercial and lose their religious meaning. Also, young people might forget old traditions because they are too busy with tourist activities.
However, Cultural impacts of mass tourism? shows there are good effects too. Tourism brings money which helps keep traditional buildings and festivals alive. In Vietnam, many old villages can continue making traditional crafts because tourists buy them. This helps local people keep their culture.
Another good point is that tourism helps people learn about different cultures. When tourists visit local places, they learn about new traditions and share their own culture too. This makes people understand each other better.
In conclusion, while tourism can have some negative effects on local culture, it also helps preserve traditions and promotes cultural understanding.
Score Analysis
Band 8.5 Essay Features:
- Sophisticated vocabulary: “revitalize,” “artisanal,” “degradation”
- Complex sentence structures
- Clear progression of ideas
- Specific, relevant examples
- Cohesive devices used naturally
- Balanced perspective
Band 6.5 Essay Features:
- Simple but clear arguments
- Basic vocabulary with some good phrases
- Less sophisticated examples
- Some repetition
- Simpler sentence structures
- Limited range of cohesive devices
Key Vocabulary
- revitalize (v) /riːˈvaɪtəlaɪz/ – to give new life or vigor to
- artisanal (adj) /ɑːtɪˈzænəl/ – traditionally handmade
- commercialization (n) /kəˌmɜːʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ – the process of making something commercial
- degradation (n) /ˌdegrəˈdeɪʃən/ – the process of becoming worse
- indigenous (adj) /ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs/ – native to a particular place
For practice, try writing your own essay on this topic: “Does tourism help or harm traditional festivals in your country?” Share your essay in the comments for feedback and discussion.
Economic benefits and challenges of tourism? provides additional context for developing strong arguments on this topic.
