Tourism has long been recognized as a powerful driver of economic growth for local communities. This topic frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams, given its global relevance and the diverse perspectives it offers. Based on past exam trends and the current focus on sustainable development, we can expect to see more questions related to the economic impact of tourism in future IELTS tests.
Let’s examine a common IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this subject and analyze sample essays at different band levels.
Some people think that tourism is beneficial for local communities, while others believe it can have negative effects. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires you to:
- Discuss the positive impacts of tourism on local communities
- Explore the potential negative effects of tourism
- Provide your personal opinion on the overall impact
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question and maintain a balanced approach while clearly stating your own stance.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Tourism has become a significant economic driver for many regions worldwide, sparking debate about its overall impact on local communities. While some argue that tourism brings substantial benefits, others contend that it can lead to detrimental effects. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view on the matter.
Proponents of tourism highlight its potential to boost local economies in several ways. Firstly, the influx of visitors creates job opportunities in various sectors, including hospitality, transportation, and retail. This employment growth can lead to increased income levels and improved living standards for residents. Additionally, tourism often stimulates infrastructure development, such as improved roads, airports, and public facilities, which benefit both tourists and locals alike. Furthermore, the revenue generated from tourism can be reinvested into preserving cultural heritage sites and natural attractions, ensuring their longevity for future generations.
On the other hand, critics argue that tourism can have negative consequences for local communities. One primary concern is the potential for environmental degradation, as increased foot traffic and development can harm fragile ecosystems. Moreover, the seasonality of tourism in many destinations can lead to economic instability, with communities struggling during off-peak periods. There is also the risk of cultural dilution, as local traditions may be commodified or altered to cater to tourist expectations. Finally, the influx of wealthy visitors can drive up property prices and cost of living, potentially displacing long-term residents.
In my opinion, while tourism does present challenges, its benefits to local communities generally outweigh the drawbacks when managed responsibly. The key lies in implementing sustainable tourism practices that prioritize the well-being of local residents and the environment. This can include measures such as limiting visitor numbers to sensitive areas, promoting cultural exchange programs, and ensuring that a significant portion of tourism revenue is reinvested in the community. By striking a balance between economic growth and preservation of local identity, tourism can serve as a powerful tool for positive development.
In conclusion, tourism’s impact on local communities is multifaceted, offering both opportunities and risks. With thoughtful planning and management, however, the potential for tourism to enhance local economies and quality of life can be fully realized while mitigating its negative effects.
(Word count: 365)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates several qualities that contribute to its high band score:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the question, discussing both positive and negative aspects of tourism and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect. Linking words and phrases (e.g., “Firstly,” “Moreover,” “On the other hand”) are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument.
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Lexical Resource: The essay employs a wide range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, such as “influx,” “commodified,” and “sustainability.” It also uses less common phrases like “cultural dilution” and “economic instability.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a variety of complex sentence structures and grammatical forms, with minimal errors. For example, “With thoughtful planning and management, however, the potential for tourism to enhance local economies and quality of life can be fully realized while mitigating its negative effects.”
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Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with explanations and examples, showing a deep understanding of the topic.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Tourism is a big topic these days, and people have different ideas about how it affects local communities. Some think it’s good, while others worry about the problems it can cause. In this essay, I will talk about both sides and give my opinion.
There are many good things about tourism for local areas. First, it creates jobs for people in hotels, restaurants, and shops. This means more money for families and better living conditions. Also, when tourists come, the government often improves roads and buildings, which is good for everyone. Tourism can also help keep local traditions alive because visitors want to see and learn about different cultures.
However, tourism can also cause problems for communities. Sometimes, too many tourists can damage nature, like when people leave trash on beaches or in forests. Another issue is that prices for houses and food can go up because of tourists, making it hard for local people to afford things. Some people also worry that their culture might change too much to please tourists.
In my opinion, tourism can be good for local communities if it’s done the right way. I think it’s important to have rules to protect nature and local culture. For example, limiting the number of visitors to certain places or teaching tourists about local customs. It’s also a good idea to make sure that some of the money from tourism goes back to the community for schools and hospitals.
To conclude, tourism has both good and bad effects on local communities. While it can bring money and jobs, it’s important to be careful about protecting the environment and local way of life. If done well, I believe tourism can help make communities better places to live.
(Word count: 294)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 6-7 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing an opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Basic linking words are used (e.g., “First,” “However,” “Also”), but more sophisticated cohesive devices could improve the flow.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempt at less common words (e.g., “traditions,” “affordable”). However, there is some repetition and the range could be broader.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
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Development of Ideas: The main points are relevant and supported with some explanation, but they could be elaborated further with more specific examples or details.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Economic driver (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈdraɪvə(r)/ – A factor that significantly influences economic growth
- Influx (noun) – /ˈɪnflʌks/ – The arrival of large numbers of people or things
- Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/ – The basic physical and organizational structures needed for society to operate
- Cultural heritage (noun) – /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ – The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a society
- Environmental degradation (noun) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃn/ – The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources
- Commodification (noun) – /kəˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ – The transformation of goods, services, or ideas into commodities
- Sustainable tourism (noun) – /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈtʊərɪzəm/ – Tourism that respects both local people and the traveler, cultural heritage and the environment
- Cultural exchange (noun) – /ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/ – The interchange of cultural aspects between different groups
- Economic stability (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk stəˈbɪləti/ – A state of an economy with minimal fluctuations in output and employment
- Preservation (noun) – /ˌprezəˈveɪʃn/ – The act of maintaining something in its original or existing state
Conclusion
The role of tourism in boosting local economies is a complex and nuanced topic that frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the various perspectives and being able to articulate them clearly, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle questions on this subject. Remember to always address all parts of the question, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your points with relevant examples.
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The impact of eco-tourism on local communities
- The role of government in promoting sustainable tourism
- Balancing tourism development with environmental protection
We encourage you to write your own essay on the topic discussed in this article and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you refine your writing skills and receive feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.