Tourism
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Vocabulary for IELTS: Tourism
"Tourism" is a popular topic in the IELTS exam, particularly in Speaking Part 2 and Writing Task 2. Candidates may be asked to describe tourist destinations, discuss the effects of tourism, or evaluate the benefits and challenges it brings to societies. A rich vocabulary will help you present compelling and high-scoring arguments. Below are some carefully chosen tourism-related vocabulary items, complete with contextual examples to guide your usage.
1. Tourist attraction: [Meaning: A place that draws visitors due to its interest or appeal]
Example 1: The Eiffel Tower remains France’s most iconic tourist attraction.
Example 2: This small island became a major tourist attraction after the film was shot there.
2. Travel itinerary: [Meaning: A planned route or schedule of a journey]
Example 1: Our travel itinerary includes visits to three historical cities.
Example 2: A well-organised itinerary can make any trip more enjoyable.
3. Backpacker: [Meaning: A budget-conscious traveller who carries belongings in a backpack]
Example 1: As a student, I travelled across Southeast Asia as a backpacker.
Example 2: Many backpackers seek local experiences over luxury accommodations.
4. Package tour: [Meaning: A pre-arranged set of travel services sold as one product]
Example 1: We booked a package tour to Egypt that included hotels and sightseeing.
Example 2: Package tours are ideal for tourists looking for a hassle-free experience.
5. Sightseeing: [Meaning: The activity of visiting places of interest in a city or area]
Example 1: We spent the afternoon sightseeing around Rome’s ancient ruins.
Example 2: Sightseeing is often the most anticipated part of a vacation.
6. Local cuisine: [Meaning: Traditional food of a particular region]
Example 1: Sampling the local cuisine is a must for cultural tourists.
Example 2: The city is famous for its local cuisine, especially its seafood dishes.
7. Tourist hotspot: [Meaning: A place that is extremely popular with visitors]
Example 1: Bali has become a tourist hotspot in recent years.
Example 2: Some tourist hotspots are now suffering from environmental degradation.
8. Eco-tourism: [Meaning: Responsible travel to natural areas conserving the environment]
Example 1: Eco-tourism is promoted as a sustainable alternative to mass tourism.
Example 2: The park offers eco-tourism packages for wildlife lovers.
9. Overtourism: [Meaning: Excessive numbers of tourists that negatively impact a destination]
Example 1: Venice has introduced entry fees to combat overtourism.
Example 2: Overtourism can lead to environmental damage and loss of cultural identity.
10. Cultural commodification: [Meaning: Turning culture into a product for tourists]
Example 1: Some argue that traditional dances have suffered due to cultural commodification.
Example 2: Cultural commodification often strips rituals of their original meaning.
11. Destination branding: [Meaning: Marketing a location to make it attractive to tourists]
Example 1: Thailand’s success is partly due to clever destination branding.
Example 2: Destination branding can transform a remote village into a global icon.
12. Geo-tourism: [Meaning: Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place]
Example 1: Geo-tourism educates travellers about local landscapes and geological features.
Example 2: Geo-tourism promotes conservation while supporting local economies.
13. Heritage tourism: [Meaning: Travelling to experience places and activities that represent the past]
Example 1: Heritage tourism appeals to people who enjoy learning about history.
Example 2: Castles and historic towns are prime heritage tourism destinations.
14. Dark tourism: [Meaning: Visiting places associated with death and tragedy]
Example 1: Auschwitz is a leading site for dark tourism in Europe.
Example 2: Dark tourism raises ethical questions about profiting from human suffering.
15. Voluntourism: [Meaning: Travelling for volunteer work combined with tourism]
Example 1: Voluntourism has grown popular among gap-year students.
Example 2: Ethical voluntourism focuses on genuine community needs rather than tourist enjoyment.
16. Tourism dependency: [Meaning: Economic reliance on the tourism sector]
Example 1: Many island nations suffer from tourism dependency, making them vulnerable to global crises.
Example 2: Diversifying the economy can reduce tourism dependency.
17. Intercultural exchange: [Meaning: Mutual sharing of cultural experiences between travellers and locals]
Example 1: Responsible tourism encourages intercultural exchange and respect.
Example 2: Intercultural exchange can break down stereotypes.
18. Carrying capacity: [Meaning: The maximum number of visitors a destination can handle without degradation]
Example 1: Exceeding a site’s carrying capacity can harm the environment and visitor experience.
Example 2: Tourism planners must consider carrying capacity for sustainable growth.
19. Experiential travel: [Meaning: Travel focused on deeply engaging and authentic experiences]
Example 1: Experiential travel is about connecting emotionally with a destination.
Example 2: Travellers now prioritise experiential travel over sightseeing alone.
20. Destination stewardship: [Meaning: Responsible planning and management of tourism destinations]
Example 1: Destination stewardship ensures long-term benefits for both locals and visitors.
Example 2: Communities must play a role in destination stewardship to avoid exploitation.
21. Tourism leakage: [Meaning: Loss of tourist income to outside economies]
Example 1: High tourism leakage means little profit stays in the host country.
Example 2: Multinational hotel chains often contribute to tourism leakage.
22. Post-tourism: [Meaning: The idea that tourists are increasingly aware of the artificiality of tourism]
Example 1: Post-tourism suggests that travellers now ironically engage in traditional tourist behaviour.
Example 2: The post-tourism trend reflects changing attitudes toward authenticity.
23. Touristic authenticity: [Meaning: The perceived genuineness of cultural or travel experiences]
Example 1: Markets often simulate touristic authenticity to attract visitors.
Example 2: Touristic authenticity can be difficult to define in globalised destinations.
24. Cultural dilution: [Meaning: The weakening of original culture due to tourist influence]
Example 1: Tourism can cause cultural dilution in small communities.
Example 2: Safeguards are needed to prevent cultural dilution in heritage villages.
25. Transcultural mobility: [Meaning: The ease with which people and cultural ideas move across borders through tourism]
Example 1: Transcultural mobility reshapes how global travellers engage with local cultures.
Example 2: The digital age has accelerated transcultural mobility in tourism.
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