Sustainable tourism and its impact on the environment is a topic that frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on past trends and the growing global focus on environmental issues, it’s highly likely that this theme will continue to be a popular subject in future IELTS tests. Let’s explore this topic through sample essays and in-depth analysis to help you prepare effectively for your IELTS Writing Task 2.
Analyzing the Task
For this article, we’ll focus on the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Some people believe that the development of tourism has had negative effects on local communities and the environment. Others think that its impact is positive. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question addresses the dual impact of tourism on both local communities and the environment, requiring candidates to discuss both positive and negative aspects before presenting their own viewpoint.
Sample Essays for Different Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay
Tourism has become a significant economic driver for many countries, but its impact on local communities and the environment is a subject of ongoing debate. While some argue that tourism development brings more harm than good, others believe its effects are predominantly positive. In my opinion, while tourism can indeed pose challenges, its benefits can outweigh the drawbacks if managed sustainably.
Those who criticize tourism often point to its negative environmental impacts. Mass tourism can lead to pollution, habitat destruction, and strain on local resources. For instance, popular beach destinations often suffer from water pollution and coastal erosion due to overcrowding. Moreover, the construction of large resorts and hotels can disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife. Socially, tourism can sometimes lead to the commodification of local cultures, where traditional practices are altered or performed solely for tourists’ entertainment, potentially eroding authentic cultural identities.
However, proponents of tourism highlight its numerous positive effects. Economically, tourism creates jobs, stimulates local businesses, and can be a vital source of foreign exchange for developing countries. This economic boost can lead to improved infrastructure and public services that benefit both tourists and locals. Furthermore, when managed responsibly, tourism can actually promote environmental conservation. Many eco-tourism initiatives, for example, fund wildlife preservation efforts and raise awareness about environmental issues. Culturally, tourism can foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, preserving local traditions by creating a market for traditional crafts and performances.
In my view, the key to harnessing the benefits of tourism while mitigating its negative impacts lies in sustainable tourism practices. This approach involves careful planning and management to ensure that tourism development respects local communities and environments. Implementing strict environmental regulations, promoting eco-friendly accommodations, and educating both tourists and locals about sustainable practices can significantly reduce tourism’s ecological footprint. Additionally, involving local communities in tourism planning and ensuring they receive a fair share of the economic benefits can help preserve cultural authenticity and improve living standards.
In conclusion, while tourism can indeed have negative effects on local communities and the environment, I believe that its potential for positive impact is substantial when managed sustainably. By adopting responsible tourism practices, we can create a model of tourism that not only provides economic benefits but also protects and even enhances local cultures and environments.
(Word count: 377)
Band 6-7 Essay
Tourism is a big industry that affects many places around the world. Some people think it’s bad for local communities and the environment, while others see it as something positive. I believe that tourism has both good and bad effects, but overall it can be good if it’s done in the right way.
On the negative side, tourism can damage the environment. When too many people visit a place, it can cause pollution and hurt the natural areas. For example, popular beaches often get dirty because of all the tourists. Also, building big hotels can destroy habitats for animals. For local communities, tourism can sometimes change their culture in a bad way. Traditional customs might be changed just to please tourists, which isn’t good.
However, there are also many positive things about tourism. It creates jobs for local people and brings money into the area. This can help improve things like roads and schools, which is good for everyone. Some types of tourism, like eco-tourism, can actually help protect nature by teaching people about the environment. Tourism can also help keep local traditions alive because tourists are interested in seeing local culture.
I think the best way to make tourism good is to do it carefully and think about the environment and local people. This means making rules to protect nature, building hotels that don’t harm the environment, and teaching tourists to respect the places they visit. It’s also important to make sure that local people benefit from tourism and are involved in making decisions about it.
In conclusion, while tourism can have some negative effects, I believe it can be mostly positive if it’s managed well. By being careful about how we develop tourism, we can make sure it helps both the economy and the environment, and respects local cultures too.
(Word count: 309)
Band 5-6 Essay
Tourism is a big topic these days. Some people think it’s bad for local places and nature, but others say it’s good. I think both sides have some truth.
Bad things about tourism are that it can hurt nature. Too many tourists can make places dirty and damage plants and animals. For example, beaches get polluted when there are lots of people. Also, big hotels take up space where animals used to live. Sometimes tourism changes local culture in a bad way. People might change their traditions just for tourists, which is not good.
But tourism also has good points. It gives jobs to local people and brings money to the area. This money can help build better roads and schools. Some kinds of tourism, like nature tourism, can help protect the environment by teaching people about it. Tourism can also help keep old traditions alive because tourists like to see local culture.
I think the best way is to have tourism but do it carefully. We should make rules to protect nature and build hotels that don’t harm the environment. We should also teach tourists to be respectful. It’s important that local people get benefits from tourism too.
In the end, I believe tourism can be good if we do it the right way. If we’re careful, tourism can help the economy and protect nature and culture at the same time.
(Word count: 234)
Sustainable Tourism Infographic
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and meets all the criteria for a high band score:
- Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly presenting the writer’s opinion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
- Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. Complex ideas are expressed precisely.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of structures is used flexibly and accurately. Errors are rare and do not impede communication.
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay shows good writing skills but has some limitations:
- Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but some aspects are covered more thoroughly than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but some paragraphs could be better linked.
- Lexical Resource: A sufficient range of vocabulary is used, with some less common items, though there is occasional repetition.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used, with generally good control, though a few errors are present.
Band 5-6 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates basic writing skills with some limitations:
- Task Response: The essay addresses the task, but some points are underdeveloped.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a basic structure, but paragraphing could be improved, and some ideas are not well-connected.
- Lexical Resource: A limited range of vocabulary is used, with some inaccuracies in word choice or spelling.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mainly simple sentences are used, with some attempts at complex structures. Errors are frequent but do not greatly impede communication.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Sustainable tourism (noun) – /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈtʊərɪzəm/ – Tourism that respects both local people and the traveler, cultural heritage and the environment.
Ecological footprint (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkl ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – The impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.
Commodification (noun) – /kəˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ – The transformation of goods, services, ideas, or other entities that may not normally be regarded as goods into a commodity.
Eco-tourism (noun) – /ˈiːkəʊ ˈtʊərɪzəm/ – Tourism directed toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.
Cultural erosion (noun) – /ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪˈrəʊʒn/ – The gradual destruction or reduction of cultural characteristics or traditions.
Habitat destruction (noun) – /ˈhæbɪtæt dɪˈstrʌkʃn/ – The process by which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present.
Environmental conservation (noun) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃn/ – The protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them.
Cultural authenticity (noun) – /ˈkʌltʃərəl ɔːˈθentɪsɪti/ – The genuine representation of a culture’s traditions and values, unaltered by external influences.
Overcrowding (noun) – /ˌəʊvəˈkraʊdɪŋ/ – The state of having too many people or things in one place.
Sustainable practices (noun) – /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈpræktɪsɪz/ – Methods of using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.
Conclusion
The topic of sustainable tourism and its environmental impact is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of governments in promoting sustainable tourism
- Balancing economic growth with environmental protection in tourism
- The impact of mass tourism on local cultures and economies
- Strategies for developing eco-friendly tourism
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide specific examples to support your arguments. Feel free to practice by writing an essay on the topic discussed in this article and sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.