IELTS Writing Task 2 — Tourism and Travel: a Band 9 sample answer

International travel has surged over recent decades, and people remain divided over whether it does a country more good than harm. While I acknowledge that tourism delivers substantial economic rewards, I believe these gains are frequently offset by lasting damage to local communities and the environment.

Those who champion tourism rightly point to its economic clout. Foreign visitors inject money into hotels, restaurants and transport, generating employment for thousands of ordinary people, from tour guides to taxi drivers. In nations such as Thailand, this revenue funds public services and lifts entire regions out of poverty. Moreover, exposure to outsiders can broaden the horizons of host communities, fostering tolerance and a healthy exchange of ideas.

Nevertheless, the costs are far from trivial. When crowds descend on fragile sites, the consequences are often irreversible: coral reefs are bleached, ancient streets are worn down, and once-quiet towns become unaffordable for residents priced out by soaring rents. Venice, sinking under the weight of cruise ships, is a sobering example. Furthermore, the relentless drive to please tourists can hollow out genuine traditions, reducing rich cultures to a shallow performance staged purely for profit.

On balance, although tourism undeniably enriches national economies, I am convinced that unchecked growth ultimately erodes the very places visitors come to admire. Governments should therefore cap visitor numbers and reinvest profits in conservation, ensuring that this lucrative industry does not destroy its own foundations.