Sustainable Tourism In Sensitive Environments is a crucial topic that has gained significant attention in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This theme explores the delicate balance between promoting tourism and preserving fragile ecosystems. Based on trends in past exams and the growing global focus on environmental conservation, it’s highly likely that this subject will continue to appear in future IELTS tests.
Let’s examine a relevant question that has been featured in recent IELTS exams:
Some people believe that tourism in sensitive natural environments should be banned completely, while others think that carefully managed tourism can be allowed. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that tourism should be completely banned in sensitive natural environments.
- Explore the perspective that carefully managed tourism can be allowed in these areas.
- Provide their own opinion on the issue.
The key challenge here is to present balanced arguments for both sides while clearly stating and supporting your personal stance.
Sustainable Tourism Infographic
Sample Essays for Different Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay Sample
Tourism in sensitive natural environments is a contentious issue, with valid arguments on both sides. While some advocate for a complete ban to protect these delicate ecosystems, others believe that carefully managed tourism can be beneficial. In my opinion, a balanced approach that allows limited, well-regulated tourism is the most practical solution.
Those who support a total ban on tourism in sensitive areas argue that human presence inevitably leads to environmental degradation. They contend that even the most cautious visitors can inadvertently damage fragile habitats, disturb wildlife, or introduce harmful non-native species. For instance, the mere act of walking through a pristine forest can compact soil, affecting plant growth and altering local ecosystems. Moreover, the infrastructure required to support tourism, such as roads and accommodation, can fragment habitats and disrupt natural processes.
On the other hand, proponents of carefully managed tourism assert that it can bring significant benefits to both the environment and local communities. They argue that responsible tourism can generate funds for conservation efforts, raise awareness about environmental issues, and provide economic incentives for preserving natural areas. For example, the revenue from eco-tourism in Costa Rica has helped finance the protection of its rainforests and support local communities. Furthermore, when people experience these environments firsthand, they often become passionate advocates for their preservation.
In my view, a complete ban on tourism in sensitive environments is neither feasible nor desirable. While it’s crucial to protect these areas, isolating them entirely from human interaction may lead to a lack of public interest and support for their conservation. Instead, I believe that carefully managed, low-impact tourism can strike a balance between preservation and access. This approach should involve strict visitor quotas, comprehensive education programs, and stringent guidelines for tour operators.
To implement this effectively, authorities must collaborate with environmental scientists, local communities, and tourism experts to develop sustainable practices. These could include designating specific trails to minimize widespread impact, using renewable energy sources for facilities, and investing a significant portion of tourism revenue into conservation projects. Additionally, visitors should be required to undergo educational briefings about the fragility of the environment and their responsibilities.
In conclusion, while the concern for protecting sensitive natural environments is valid, a carefully managed approach to tourism can offer a win-win solution. By allowing limited access under strict regulations, we can foster a global appreciation for these precious ecosystems while generating resources for their preservation. The key lies in striking the right balance between human interaction and environmental protection, ensuring that future generations can also marvel at the wonders of our natural world.
(Word count: 421)
Band 6-7 Essay Sample
The question of whether tourism should be allowed in sensitive natural environments is a difficult one. There are good reasons for both banning it completely and allowing it with careful management. In this essay, I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who support banning tourism in these areas say that it’s the only way to protect them. They argue that any human presence can damage these delicate ecosystems. For example, tourists might leave litter, disturb animals, or damage plants by walking on them. Even if people try to be careful, they can still cause harm without meaning to. Also, building hotels and roads for tourists can destroy natural habitats.
On the other hand, people who support carefully managed tourism believe it can be good for these environments. They say that tourism can bring money that can be used to protect nature. When people visit these places, they learn about them and may want to help protect them. For instance, in some national parks, the money from tourism helps to pay for conservation work. Tourism can also provide jobs for local people, which might stop them from harming the environment to make a living.
In my opinion, carefully managed tourism is better than a complete ban. I think if we don’t allow any tourism, people might not care about these places and won’t want to protect them. However, it’s very important that this tourism is managed well. There should be strict rules about how many people can visit, what they can do, and where they can go. Tourists should be taught about the environment and how to protect it.
To make this work, governments and environmental experts need to work together. They should make sure that tourism doesn’t harm the environment. This could include things like using eco-friendly transport, limiting the number of visitors, and making sure that most of the money from tourism goes back into protecting the environment.
In conclusion, while there are risks in allowing tourism in sensitive natural environments, I believe that carefully managed tourism can be beneficial. It can help protect these areas by providing money and making people care about them. The key is to have very strict rules and to always put the protection of the environment first.
(Word count: 368)
Band 5-6 Essay Sample
Tourism in sensitive natural places is a big problem. Some people think it should be stopped completely, but others think it can be allowed if it’s managed carefully. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who want to ban tourism in these places say it’s bad for nature. They think tourists can damage plants and animals. Tourists might leave trash or make too much noise. Also, building hotels and roads for tourists can destroy natural areas. These people think the only way to protect nature is to keep all tourists out.
But other people think tourism can be okay if it’s done carefully. They say tourism can bring money to help protect nature. When people visit these places, they learn about them and might want to help save them. Tourism can also give jobs to local people. This might stop them from damaging nature to make money in other ways.
I think carefully managed tourism is better than banning it completely. If we don’t let anyone visit these places, people might not care about them. But it’s very important that tourism is managed well. There should be rules about how many people can visit and what they can do there. Tourists should learn about the environment and how to protect it.
To make this work, the government and nature experts need to work together. They should make sure tourism doesn’t hurt the environment. This could mean using buses that don’t pollute, not letting too many people visit, and using the money from tourism to protect nature.
In conclusion, I think carefully managed tourism in sensitive natural places can be good. It can help protect these areas by bringing money and making people care about them. But it’s very important to have strict rules and always think about protecting nature first.
(Word count: 309)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
- Task Achievement: It fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended and supported ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is logically organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively.
- Lexical Resource: It uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: It uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.
Band 6-7 Essay
This essay shows competent writing skills:
- Task Achievement: It addresses all parts of the task, although some parts may be more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but it may not always be well-managed. Cohesive devices are used, but not always appropriately.
- Lexical Resource: It uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. There may be some inaccuracies in word choice or spelling, but these do not impede communication.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: It uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are some errors, but these rarely reduce communication.
Band 5-6 Essay
This essay demonstrates modest writing skills:
- Task Achievement: It addresses the task only partially. The format may be inappropriate in places.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The overall progression is there, but not always clear. The paragraphing may be inadequate.
- Lexical Resource: It uses a limited range of vocabulary. Errors in word choice and spelling may be noticeable.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: It uses a limited range of structures. Errors are frequent and may cause some difficulty for the reader.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Sensitive environments (noun phrase) – /ˈsensətɪv ɪnˈvaɪrənmənts/ – Delicate ecosystems that are easily affected by external factors.
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Sustainable tourism (noun phrase) – /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈtʊərɪzəm/ – Tourism that respects the environment and local communities.
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Ecosystem (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/ – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
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Conservation (noun) – /kɒnsəˈveɪʃn/ – The protection of plants, animals, and natural areas.
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Biodiversity (noun) – /baɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ – The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
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Ecotourism (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊtʊərɪzəm/ – Tourism directed toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.
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Environmental degradation (noun phrase) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˌdegrəˈdeɪʃn/ – The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources.
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Habitat fragmentation (noun phrase) – /ˈhabɪtat fragmənˈteɪʃn/ – The process by which habitat loss results in the division of large, continuous habitats into smaller, more isolated remnants.
In conclusion, the topic of sustainable tourism in sensitive environments is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The impact of mass tourism on local cultures and environments
- The role of governments in promoting sustainable tourism
- Balancing economic development with environmental protection in tourist destinations
- The effectiveness of eco-tourism in preserving natural habitats
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is practice. Try writing your own essay on the topic discussed in this article and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for the actual test.
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