IELTS TASK 2: Pros can cons of tourism

International travel is becoming cheaper, and countries are opening their doors to more and more tourists. Do the advantages of increased tourism outweigh the disadvantages?

Traveling abroad is becoming more and more affordable, and numerous nations are implementing policies in order to attract tourists. Although there are several drawbacks such as increased traffic jams and environmental harm, I still believe that the merits of global tourism are enough to compensate for the perceived drawbacks because of its economic and cultural benefits.

On the one hand, large-scale tourism can have somewhat negative impacts. First and foremost, it can be detrimental to the environment due to tourist activities. Those activities can wreak havoc on the natural environment, leading to severe consequences. For instance, every year tourists dispose of over one million tons of waste into the sea, which disrupts the aquatic ecosystem and causes countless fish to die. In addition, increased tourism also leads to increased traffic, especially in urban cities. People who travel to work will have to commute much longer due to increased congestion caused by an influx of tourists.

On the other hand, governments can reap many benefits by promoting tourism. Firstly, tourism can enhance a country’s economic prospects in many ways. For example, it can provide jobs for indigenous people, especially in Third world countries where the industrialization process has only just begun in the past few decades. It can also increase trading and generate a valuable source of income for communities and individuals through cross-border transactions. Secondly, it can also popularize a nation’s culture and customs. This, in turn, can help establish friendly relationships with neighboring countries and global partners, creating economic and social opportunities to thrive.

In conclusion, despite the inherent disadvantages of international tourism, governments should encourage more tourist activities because they offer considerable economic and social advantages.