Tourism plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage, but it also raises questions about sustainability and access. One of the most debated topics in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams is whether tourists should pay higher fees to enter historic sites. This issue has appeared multiple times in past tests and is likely to remain relevant in future exams due to its global significance.

Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current trends, we’ve identified a highly probable question for future tests:

Some people believe that tourists should pay more than local residents to visit important historic and cultural sites. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Let’s examine this question in detail and provide sample essays for different band scores to help you prepare effectively for your IELTS Writing Task 2.

Question Analysis

This question falls under the “agree or disagree” category and requires you to present your opinion on differential pricing for tourists at historic and cultural sites. Key points to consider:

1. The concept of charging tourists more than locals
2. Reasons for and against this practice
3. Potential impacts on tourism, preservation, and local communities
4. Your personal stance on the issue

Remember to address all parts of the question and provide a clear, well-supported argument.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Tourism has become a double-edged sword for many historic and cultural sites worldwide. While it brings in much-needed revenue, it also poses challenges to preservation efforts. The idea of charging tourists higher entrance fees than local residents is a contentious one, and in my opinion, it is a justifiable practice under certain conditions.

There are several compelling reasons to support differential pricing for tourists. Firstly, many historic sites require substantial funds for maintenance and restoration, which local government budgets may not fully cover. By charging tourists more, these sites can generate additional revenue to ensure their long-term preservation. Secondly, local residents often pay taxes that contribute to the upkeep of these sites, so lower fees for them can be seen as a fair acknowledgment of their ongoing support.

Moreover, higher fees for tourists can help manage visitor numbers and reduce overcrowding, which is a significant threat to many popular historic sites. This approach can enhance the visitor experience while protecting fragile structures and artifacts from excessive wear and tear. It’s worth noting that many tourists are willing to pay premium prices for unique cultural experiences, making this a viable economic strategy.

However, it’s crucial to implement such policies thoughtfully. Excessively high fees could deter tourists altogether, potentially harming local economies that rely on tourism. Additionally, there’s a risk of creating a two-tiered system that might foster resentment or exclusion. To mitigate these issues, sites could offer discounts for students, seniors, or off-peak visits, ensuring that access remains reasonably affordable for a wide range of visitors.

In conclusion, while charging tourists more than locals to visit historic and cultural sites is a complex issue, I believe it can be a beneficial practice if implemented fairly and transparently. The key is to strike a balance between generating necessary funds for preservation, managing visitor impact, and maintaining accessibility for diverse groups of people.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

The question of whether tourists should pay more than local residents to visit important historic and cultural sites is a controversial topic. In my opinion, I partially agree with this view because it has both advantages and disadvantages.

On the one hand, there are good reasons for charging tourists higher fees. Firstly, many historic sites need a lot of money for maintenance, and tourist fees can help cover these costs. Tourists often have more money to spend on their trips and might be willing to pay extra for a special experience. Also, local people usually pay taxes that support these sites, so it’s fair for them to pay less.

However, there are also some problems with this idea. If tourist fees are too high, it might discourage people from visiting, which could hurt local businesses that depend on tourism. It’s important for everyone to have the chance to learn about different cultures, and high prices might make this difficult for some tourists.

Another point to consider is that not all tourists are wealthy, and some may be students or budget travelers who can’t afford high fees. This could lead to discrimination and make some people feel unwelcome.

In my view, a good solution might be to have different prices for different groups. For example, there could be lower prices for students, children, and elderly people, regardless of whether they are local or tourists. This way, the sites can still make money from those who can afford it, while keeping access open for others.

To conclude, while charging tourists more than locals has some benefits, it’s important to find a balance that supports historic sites without making them too exclusive. A flexible pricing system could be a good way to address this issue.

Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)

In many countries, there is a debate about whether tourists should pay more money than local people to visit famous historic and cultural places. I think this is a difficult question because there are good and bad points to consider.

One reason why tourists might pay more is because they are visitors and don’t pay taxes in that country. Local people pay taxes which help to look after these places, so maybe it’s fair if they pay less. Also, many tourists have saved money for their holiday and can afford to pay more for special experiences.

But there are also problems with making tourists pay more. It might not be fair because not all tourists are rich. Some are students or don’t have a lot of money. If the prices are too high, fewer tourists might come, and this could be bad for local shops and hotels that need tourist money.

Another thing to think about is that these historic places are important for everyone to learn about different cultures. If the prices are too high, some people might not be able to visit and learn about the history and culture of other countries.

In my opinion, I think it’s okay for tourists to pay a little bit more, but not too much more than local people. Maybe there could be different prices for different types of people, like cheaper tickets for students or families, no matter if they are tourists or locals.

To conclude, I believe that charging different prices for tourists and locals can be okay if it’s not too much and if there are still ways for everyone to visit these important places.

Explaining the Scores

Band 8-9 Essay:

• Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
• Presents a clear position throughout the essay
• Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features
• Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
• Coherent with skillful use of cohesive devices
• Provides well-developed arguments supported by relevant examples

Band 6-7 Essay:

• Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others
• Presents a relevant position, though conclusions may become unclear or repetitive
• Uses an adequate range of vocabulary with some errors in word choice and collocation
• Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors that do not impede communication
• Arranges information coherently with clear progression throughout
• Presents relevant main ideas but some may be inadequately developed or unclear

Band 5-6 Essay:

• Addresses the task only partially; format may be inappropriate in places
• Expresses a position but development is not always clear
• Uses limited range of vocabulary; errors in word choice may cause some difficulty for the reader
• Uses only a limited range of structures with some attempt to use complex sentences
• Presents information with some organization but there may be lack of overall progression
• Presents some main ideas but these are limited and not sufficiently developed

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Cultural heritage (noun) – /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ – traditions and monuments passed down from previous generations
2. Preservation (noun) – /ˌprezərˈveɪʃn/ – the act of maintaining something in its original state
3. Sustainable tourism (noun phrase) – /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈtʊərɪzəm/ – tourism that respects both local people and the traveler
4. Differential pricing (noun phrase) – /ˌdɪfəˈrenʃl ˈpraɪsɪŋ/ – charging different prices to different groups of customers
5. Overcrowding (noun) – /ˌəʊvəˈkraʊdɪŋ/ – the state of having too many people in one place
6. Revenue generation (noun phrase) – /ˈrevənjuː ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃn/ – the process of producing income
7. Accessibility (noun) – /əkˌsesəˈbɪləti/ – the quality of being able to be reached or entered
8. Resentment (noun) – /rɪˈzentmənt/ – bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly
9. Discriminatory (adjective) – /dɪˈskrɪmɪnətri/ – making an unjust distinction in the treatment of different categories of people
10. Two-tiered system (noun phrase) – /tuː-tɪəd ˈsɪstəm/ – a system with two different levels or classes

Tourists experiencing a cultural heritage site

In conclusion, the question of whether tourists should pay more to enter historic sites is likely to remain a significant topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. As you prepare, consider practicing with similar questions such as:

1. Should there be a limit on the number of tourists allowed to visit historic sites?
2. How can countries balance tourism revenue with the preservation of cultural heritage?
3. Is it fair to charge different prices based on a visitor’s country of origin?

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to present a clear, well-structured argument supported by relevant examples. Practice writing essays on this topic and others, and don’t hesitate to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!