IELTS graph # 256 – Proportion of holidaymakers staying in different accommodation

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1/ Graph Writing – Pie Charts:

» You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The charts show the proportion of holidaymakers from one region staying in different types of accommodation in three different years.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

Proportion of holidaymakers staying in different types of accommodation


Model Answer 1:
The three pie charts illustrate how the accommodation preferences of holidaymakers in a particular region changed over four decades, specifically in 1965, 1985 and 2005.

Overall, while staying with friends or relatives was the most common choice in 1965, its popularity declined over time. At the same time, hotels and caravans became more favoured.

In 1965, 55% of holidaymakers opted to stay with friends or relatives, making it the dominant form of accommodation during vacations. Hotels were much less popular, chosen by only 16% of travellers. Camping and caravans accounted for 15% and 14% of travellers respectively, indicating modest interest in these options at the time. By 1985, there was a significant shift in preferences. The proportion staying with friends or relatives dropped sharply to 35%, whereas the share choosing hotels soared to 37%, almost equalling the former category. Camping rose slightly to 18%, but caravan use declined to 10%, marking it as the least common choice that year.

Finally, in 2005, the trend continued. Hotel accommodation became the most popular option at 38%, surpassing staying with friends or relatives, which fell further to 30%. Caravans use increased to 20%, while camping lost appeal, decreasing to 12%, the lowest among the four types of accommodation.



Sample Answer 2:

The pie charts compare the ratio of holidaymakers from a region who used different types of lodging in 1965, 1985 and 2005.

Overall, the hotel became the primary accommodation for the majority of travellers in 1985 and 2005, despite most people’s preference for staying with a friend or relative earlier.

According to the illustration, more than half of the holidaymakers from this region stayed with friends or relatives in 1965. However, this trend shifted noticeably, and the ratio of such holiday seekers declined to 35 and 30 per cent in 1985 and 2005, respectively. In the meantime, staying in a hotel became more popular. A hotel was a preferred accommodation for just 16% holidaymakers in 1965, but in 2000, more than one-third of visitors stayed in a hotel.

Moreover, camping while enjoying holidays was chosen by 15% people in 1965, and after two decades, it was preferred by 18% holiday seekers. The popularity of camping seemed to have decreased in 2005. Finally, 14% visitors picked a caravan as an accommodation in 1965, and their ratio decreased to 10% in 1985, but doubled from that point in 2000.



Sample Answer 3:

The pie charts outline the percentages of holidaymakers from a particular region in terms of their preference for accommodation over a span of four decades, starting from 1965. It is noticeable that people shifted their tendency to stay at a friend’s or relative’s house in favour of staying in a hotel.

As is given in the illustration, 55% holidaymakers stayed with friends and relatives in 1965, while only 16% preferred a hotel. Camping and caravans were picked by 15% and 14% respectively this year during their holidays. However, after two decades, people who stayed at a relative’s or friend’s house dropped to 35%, while 37% stayed in hotels. This indicates a clear shift from staying with friends and relatives to renting a hotel room. Preference for camping increased by 3% while caravan use during holidays declined.

Finally, in 2005, 30% holiday seekers stayed with friends and relatives during their vacation, and 38% favoured hotel accommodation. This year, camping was their least ideal option, while the use of caravans doubled from 1985.

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