International tourism reaching remote places: IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer

Cheaper flights and better roads mean that places once visited only by explorers, such as Himalayan villages and small tropical islands, now receive thousands of tourists each year. This trend brings important economic benefits, but in my opinion they only outweigh the disadvantages if tourism is carefully managed.

The main advantage is economic. Tourism can provide income and employment in remote areas where there are few other opportunities, allowing local people to work as guides, run guesthouses or sell handicrafts instead of moving to cities. The money spent by visitors can also fund new roads, clinics and schools. In addition, travel encourages cultural exchange, as tourists learn about traditions very different from their own, and local communities may take greater pride in their heritage when outsiders value it.

However, the costs can be severe. Fragile ecosystems are easily damaged by large numbers of visitors. On Saint Martin's Island in Bangladesh, for instance, coral reefs have suffered from rising tourist numbers, waste and construction, while climbers on Mount Everest have left tonnes of rubbish behind. This problem of overtourism can also harm local communities, since rising prices for land and food may push residents out, and traditional ways of life can turn into shows performed for visitors. Moreover, much of the profit often goes to large travel companies based elsewhere.

These problems are not inevitable. Bhutan, for example, charges visitors a daily fee and discourages mass tourism, so that income remains high while numbers stay manageable. Similar measures, such as limits on visitor numbers and requirements to employ local staff, could make tourism in remote areas far more sustainable.

In conclusion, I believe that the benefits of tourism to remote places outweigh the drawbacks only when governments actively protect the environment and make sure that local people share the profits. Without such controls, the damage may become permanent.