Sustainable tourism has become an increasingly important topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. As global awareness of environmental issues grows, questions related to Promoting Sustainable Tourism are appearing more frequently in IELTS exams. Based on recent trends, we can expect to see this topic continue to feature prominently in future tests. Let’s explore a real IELTS question on this subject and analyze sample essays at different band levels.

Analyzing the Question

Some people believe that governments should focus on promoting sustainable tourism to protect the environment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This question asks for your opinion on whether governments should prioritize sustainable tourism as a means of environmental protection. It’s an agree/disagree essay, which means you need to clearly state your position and support it with relevant arguments and examples.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

In recent years, the concept of sustainable tourism has gained significant traction as a potential solution to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of the travel industry. I strongly agree that governments should place a high priority on promoting this form of tourism, as it offers numerous benefits for both the environment and local communities.

Firstly, sustainable tourism practices can significantly reduce the ecological footprint of travel activities. By encouraging eco-friendly accommodations, transportation methods, and tour operators, governments can help minimize pollution, waste generation, and resource depletion in popular tourist destinations. For instance, Costa Rica’s government has successfully implemented policies that promote eco-lodges and wildlife conservation areas, resulting in a thriving ecotourism sector that preserves the country’s biodiversity while attracting environmentally conscious travelers.

Moreover, government-led initiatives to promote sustainable tourism can foster economic growth in local communities without compromising their natural and cultural heritage. By incentivizing sustainable practices, authorities can create job opportunities in green industries and encourage the preservation of traditional customs and lifestyles. New Zealand’s tourism strategy, for example, emphasizes Māori cultural experiences and environmental conservation, which has not only protected indigenous traditions but also created a unique selling point for the country’s tourism industry.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge that promoting sustainable tourism requires a delicate balance between environmental protection and economic development. Governments must carefully consider the carrying capacity of destinations and implement strict regulations to prevent overtourism. Venice’s recent decision to limit the number of daily visitors and introduce a tourist tax demonstrates how authorities can take proactive measures to safeguard fragile ecosystems and historical sites from the negative impacts of mass tourism.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that governments should prioritize the promotion of sustainable tourism as a key strategy for environmental protection. By doing so, they can not only preserve natural resources and cultural heritage but also create long-term economic benefits for local communities. As global environmental challenges continue to escalate, sustainable tourism offers a viable path towards responsible travel and conservation.

(Word count: 309)

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates excellent characteristics of a Band 8-9 response:

1. Clear position: The writer strongly agrees with the statement and maintains this position throughout the essay.
2. Coherent structure: The essay follows a logical structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
3. Well-developed ideas: Each main point is thoroughly explained and supported with relevant examples (Costa Rica, New Zealand, Venice).
4. Sophisticated vocabulary: The essay uses a wide range of advanced vocabulary accurately (e.g., “mitigate,” “ecological footprint,” “incentivizing”).
5. Complex sentences: The writer employs a variety of complex sentence structures without errors.
6. Cohesive devices: The essay uses appropriate linking words and phrases to ensure smooth transitions between ideas.
7. Critical thinking: The writer acknowledges potential challenges (balancing environmental protection and economic development) and discusses how they can be addressed.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

Nowadays, many people think that governments should focus on promoting sustainable tourism to protect the environment. I agree with this idea because it can help reduce the negative impacts of tourism on nature and local communities.

One reason why governments should promote sustainable tourism is that it can help protect natural resources. When tourists visit popular destinations, they often use a lot of water and energy, and produce a lot of waste. This can harm the environment. For example, in Thailand, some beautiful beaches have been closed because too many tourists damaged the coral reefs and marine life. If the government had promoted more sustainable tourism practices earlier, this problem might have been avoided.

Another benefit of sustainable tourism is that it can support local communities. When tourism is done in a sustainable way, it can create jobs for local people without destroying their traditional way of life. For instance, in some parts of Africa, eco-lodges employ local guides and use local products, which helps the community’s economy while preserving their culture.

However, promoting sustainable tourism can be challenging for governments. It requires money and effort to educate tourists and businesses about sustainable practices. Also, some people might resist changes if they think it will reduce profits or limit tourist numbers.

In conclusion, I believe that governments should focus on promoting sustainable tourism to protect the environment. While there are some challenges, the benefits for nature and local communities make it an important goal. Governments need to work with tourism businesses and local people to find the right balance between tourism development and environmental protection.

(Word count: 263)

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 6-7 response:

1. Clear position: The writer agrees with the statement and maintains this position throughout the essay.
2. Coherent structure: The essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
3. Relevant ideas: The main points (protecting natural resources and supporting local communities) are relevant to the topic.
4. Examples: The essay provides examples to support its points (Thailand’s beaches, African eco-lodges), though they could be more detailed.
5. Vocabulary: The essay uses some topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., “sustainable tourism,” “eco-lodges”), but the range is more limited compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
6. Grammar: The essay generally uses correct grammar, with a mix of simple and complex sentences. However, there’s less variety in sentence structures compared to the higher band essay.
7. Cohesion: Basic linking words are used to connect ideas, but the essay could benefit from more sophisticated cohesive devices.
8. Task response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task, but the ideas could be further developed and explored in more depth.

Sustainable tourism practices

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Sustainable tourism (noun) – /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈtʊərɪzəm/ – Tourism that minimizes negative impacts on the environment and local communities while providing economic benefits.

2. Ecological footprint (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkl ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – The impact of human activities on the environment, measured in terms of resource consumption and waste production.

3. Eco-friendly (adjective) – /ˌiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/ – Not harmful to the environment.

4. Biodiversity (noun) – /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ – The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

5. Carrying capacity (noun) – /ˈkærɪŋ kəˈpæsəti/ – The maximum number of people or animals that an environment can support without degradation.

6. Overtourism (noun) – /ˌəʊvəˈtʊərɪzəm/ – The negative impact of too many tourists visiting a destination.

7. Ecotourism (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊˌtʊərɪzəm/ – Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.

8. Cultural heritage (noun) – /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ – The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a society inherited from past generations.

Conclusion

Promoting sustainable tourism is likely to remain a significant topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. To prepare for this theme, consider practicing with variations such as:

1. The role of individuals in promoting sustainable tourism
2. The impact of sustainable tourism on local economies
3. Balancing tourism development with environmental protection
4. The challenges of implementing sustainable tourism practices in developing countries

Remember to structure your essay clearly, use relevant examples, and demonstrate a range of vocabulary and grammar. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active approach to learning will help you improve your IELTS Writing skills effectively.