International Tourism has Brought Enormous Benefit to Many Places - IELTS Task 2 Essay

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Model Essay 1

International tourism is often heralded as a significant economic boon, yet it also brings challenges that can overshadow these benefits. I firmly believe that the disadvantages, such as socio-economic disruptions and environmental degradation, notably outweigh the advantages, like economic growth and cultural exchanges, which will be explored in this essay.

Economically, the influx of tourists provides substantial revenue that can transform local economies. Tourists not only contribute directly through spending on accommodation, dining, and attractions but also indirectly support local employment and infrastructure development. For example, regions like Bali have thrived economically, turning traditional crafts into profitable markets and creating thousands of jobs in hospitality. Such economic injections can lead to improved local facilities and a higher standard of living; however, this influx of capital and tourists also has a downside. The presence of tourists can disrupt local communities, often leading to inflated prices and a cost of living increase that burdens the native population. In cities like Venice and Barcelona, residents have voiced concerns over tourists crowding out locals and escalating living costs, diminishing the quality of life for the permanent inhabitants.

While the economic gains from international tourism can be substantial, it is imperative to consider the environmental costs that accompany this growth. The carbon footprint associated with international flights is considerable, contributing significantly to global warming and climate change. Moreover, overtourism leads to environmental degradation, as seen in the coral reefs of Thailand, which have suffered extensive damage due to increased human activity and pollution. This has resulted in the loss of marine biodiversity and compromised ecosystem health, compelling the Thai government to close several marine parks temporarily to mitigate this impact.

In conclusion, while international tourism does contribute positively to economic development and cultural appreciation, the social and environmental costs it imposes often outweigh these advantages. Given the increased expenses borne by local communities and the irreversible damage to the environment, it is evident that the disadvantages of international tourism surpass its benefits.

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Model Essay 2

Nowadays, as there is a growing number of international tourists, international tourism has been a controversy topic due to its advantages and disadvantages. I firmly believe that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

One of the most significant advantages of international tourism is economic benefits. As international tourists explore cultures in foreign countries, they spend a large amount of money on their flights, hotels, meals and souvenirs. This allows countries to gain further income, which can be used to improve the lives of local inhabitants by increasing the quality of the social welfare system, implementing new medical equipment and financially supporting poor families. Therefore, international tourism benefits both travellers and local residents by allowing them to explore cultures and improve the quality of their lives, respectively.

However, the disadvantages of international tourism should not be overlooked because negative impacts on local inhabitants are prominent. For instance, in Japan, international tourists could not comprehend the poster written in Japanese, disobeying the indicated rule of not eating while walking on the streets and leaving rubbish on the ground. Subsequently, the local council needed to create additional posters in different languages to prevent further rubbish from being disposed incorrectly. Moreover, airplanes release a massive amount of greenhouse gasses that result in higher temperatures globally. Due to this environmental impact, many countries are experiencing unprecedentedly  high temperatures every year, experiencing increased and more devastating natural disasters. Considering both the financial implications of these disadvantages, including wages paid to the council members and economic loss due to natural disasters, that possibly expend financial benefit gained through international tourism, and the loss of lives as a result of devastating natural hazards, it is clear that the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh its advantages.

Therefore, I am in complete concurrence with the notion that the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh its advantages, considering both increased expenditure due to international travellers that can use up the financial benefit gained through the advantage and the environmental impact that results in devastating natural disasters.

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