Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects - IELTS Writing Task 2
Examine the sample answers to the IELTS Writing Task 2 topic, ‘Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects’. Learn how to structure your response with the given essay outline and develop strong arguments with relevant vocabulary.
Table of Contents
- Essay Question for Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects
- Outline for IELTS Problem Solution Essay
- Sample Answers for Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects IELTS Writing Task 2
- Vocabulary to Use for Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects - IELTS Writing Task 2


IELTS Writing Prediction Questions for 2024
While travel and tourism are becoming increasingly popular, they have certain negative effects that cannot be ignored. In the light of this situation, the problem/solution essay for IELTS Writing Task 2, ‘Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects’, allows you to discuss the harmful effects of tourism and provide solutions.
In this article, we examine sample answers for the IELTS problem solution essay, ‘Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects’, along with an outline and relevant vocabulary to understand how to structure your ideas, present examples, and use topic-specific vocabulary, which is crucial for achieving a high band score.
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Essay Question for Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Most countries believe that international tourism has harmful effects. What problems are caused by international tourism? What are the solutions to change negative attitudes? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Outline for IELTS Problem Solution Essay
To achieve a high score, structure your IELTS problem solution essay with logical flow, task completion, and high lexical range. Let us have a look at the outline that will help you to understand how to write this essay type in IELTS Writing Task 2.
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Sample Answers for Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects IELTS Writing Task 2
If you aim to score a band 7+ on the IELTS test, make sure to analyze the three essay samples given below diligently, each addressing the IELTS Writing Task 2 topic, 'Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects'. Also, practice more topics from the recent IELTS Writing actual test & model answers to develop your own writing strategies.
Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects - Sample Answer 1
There are several reasons why many people have a negative attitude towards international tourism. However, this can be handled by adopting possible solutions, as will now be discussed.
Firstly, the influx of foreign travellers is often associated with an increase in environmental pollution. Many tourists throw rubbish into the surroundings irresponsibly, which contributes to air, water, and soil contamination. Furthermore, there might be a growing demand for transport, decreasing the air quality at the tourist destination.
Secondly, international tourism increases the odds of spreading infectious diseases to the local community. Viruses such as Ebola and H5N1 can become a threat to the locals if an infected traveller visits their country. In Vietnam, for example, many people died after a visitor from Hong Kong carried the H5N1 virus to the country in 2003. This example makes it clear why many people are still against the development of international tourism.
However, there is a range of options that can be taken to improve the situation. One measure would be that the government should continue campaigns to raise the awareness of tourists when they pay a visit to a new land. Travellers should be encouraged to put waste into the right place or to use public transport if possible. Another remedy is that there should be medical checks at airports and borders. This is to guarantee that infected visitors should be quarantined to halt the spread of the disease.
In conclusion, negative feelings about global tourism still are common in society. However, this can be resolved by taking the above suggestions.
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Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects - Sample Answer 2
International tourism has become one of the most powerful forces in the global economy. However, many countries now argue that it does more harm than good, citing environmental degradation, cultural erosion, and anti-tourist sentiment. This essay will explore the problems posed by international tourism and suggest ways to transform negative attitudes.
One of the most pressing issues is the influx of visitors in sensitive or overcrowded destinations. While travel is said to “shrink the world,” many cities now bear the scars of vandalism due to careless tourists. Natural landmarks are littered, sacred places are disrespected, and local traditions are commercialised. In places like Barcelona or Venice, mass tourism has created an inhospitable feeling among residents, who often harbour unwelcoming attitudes toward foreigners. The behaviour of litterbugs, people who openly litter in public areas, also contributes to these negative perceptions. Moreover, travel on a shoestring by low-budget travellers strains public services without contributing significantly to the economy.
Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted solution. First, stricter tourism regulations can halt environmental destruction and restore damaged sites. Second, educational campaigns should teach tourists how to behave respectfully in foreign cultures. If travellers are seen as partners rather than exploiters, local communities will no longer greet them with dismay. Governments must also invest in sustainable tourism infrastructure and enforce fines for irresponsible behaviour. However, this issue can hardly be solved by a single wave of a magic wand. It demands cooperation between countries, industries, and travellers themselves.
In conclusion, international tourism, while valuable, can cause cultural and environmental harm if mismanaged. With responsible behaviour, clear regulation, and improved awareness, it is possible to reshape public attitudes and ensure that tourism becomes a force for good.
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Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects - Sample Answer 3
International tourists are now criticised mainly due to their contribution to environmental degradation. In many countries, many famous tourist destinations are now bearing the scars of vandalism committed by travellers arriving from outside. Other places of interest are also gradually being turned into which are comparable to garbage dumps, despite all attempts to reduce the amount of waste by the local community. In addition to this, many foreigners travel on a shoestring. In order to economise, many are willing to sleep on the streets in their tents, which mars the cityscape.
What local authorities can firstly do to change the behaviours of foreign tourists is through education. While advertising the beauty of an area, the media should also strive to raise the awareness of prospective travellers about protecting it. The other method is to pass stricter regulations regarding littering particularly in popular tourist places. The high effectiveness of fining litterbugs is clearly demonstrated in the example of Singapore, where one can no longer find trash in public places.
To summarise, the inhospitable feeling that the local people have for international tourists can be explained in many ways. I feel that this issue can hardly be solved by a single wave of a magic wand – it takes a great deal of effort from both the locals and the foreigners.
Vocabulary to Use for Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects - IELTS Writing Task 2
Given below are some important IELTS vocabulary related to the topic, ‘Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects’, that have been used in the above sample answers. Also, make sure to learn more synonyms for IELTS Writing to avoid limiting your choice of words while writing your essay.
Word/Phrase |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
Influx |
a large number of people or things arriving at the same time |
The influx of budget travellers has overwhelmed many small coastal villages. |
The odds of (something) |
the likelihood or chances of something occurring |
The odds of long-term environmental recovery decrease without serious tourism reform. |
To halt something |
to bring something to a stop or prevent it from continuing |
Authorities introduced entry limits to halt the rapid degradation of mountain trails. |
To shrink the world |
to reduce perceived distances through travel or digital means |
Affordable airfares and online booking tools have shrunk the world significantly. |
People from all walks of life |
people from every social, professional, or cultural background |
Tourism enables people from all walks of life to learn from one another. |
To be greeted with dismay |
to be received or met with disappointment or disapproval |
Tourists who ignore local etiquette are often greeted with dismay by residents. |
To harbour unwelcoming attitudes |
to hold negative or hostile views toward others |
Local businesses began to harbour unwelcoming attitudes toward disruptive tourist groups. |
To bear the scars of vandalism |
to show lasting physical damage caused by intentional destruction |
Ancient ruins in Petra bear the scars of vandalism from careless visitors. |
Travel on a shoestring |
to travel with very limited financial resources |
Backpackers often travel on a shoestring and stay in hostels or shared accommodations. |
Mar |
to spoil the appearance |
Overuse of neon signage has marred the cityscape in some historic districts. |
Litterbug |
someone who drops litter in public spaces |
Many local governments now impose fines on litterbugs to keep public parks clean. |
Litter (v.) |
to leave trash scattered in public places |
Visitors were seen littering the beach despite prominent warning signs. |
The inhospitable feeling |
an unwelcoming or unpleasant atmosphere |
Crowds, noise, and pollution in tourist hubs often create an inhospitable feeling. |
This issue can hardly be solved by a single wave of a magic wand (Idiom) |
a problem too complex to be fixed instantly |
Changing public perception about tourism will require long-term effort; it can’t be fixed with a magic wand. |
Mass tourism |
travel by large groups of people to the same destination, often causing negative impacts |
Mass tourism has severely affected the coral reefs in Southeast Asia. |
Cultural erosion |
the gradual loss of traditional customs and practices due to external influences |
The influx of tourists led to cultural erosion in the once-secluded Himalayan villages. |
Anti-tourist sentiment |
negative public opinion or hostility towards tourists |
Rising anti-tourist sentiment has led some cities to limit the number of short-term rentals. |
Commercialised |
turned into a business activity at the expense of authenticity |
Traditional festivals have become over-commercialised due to increasing tourist attention. |
Overtourism |
excessive tourism that causes damage or pressure on local communities/environment |
Overtourism in Bali has led to water shortages and traffic congestion. |
Sustainable tourism |
tourism designed to minimise environmental impact and benefit local communities |
Governments are encouraging sustainable tourism to balance economic gain with ecological protection. |
Educational campaigns |
Programs aimed at informing the public or travellers about appropriate behaviour |
Educational campaigns can teach tourists to respect local customs and reduce littering. |
Tourism reform |
Significant changes made to the management or structure of the tourism industry |
Without serious tourism reform, popular destinations may lose their cultural value entirely. |
To conclude, while writing an essay on topics like ‘Most Countries Believe that International Tourism has Harmful Effects’, you must demonstrate the ability to identify real-world problems, propose realistic solutions, and support your arguments with logical reasoning and precise vocabulary. So, practice IELTS Writing practice tests consistently, analyse high-scoring model answers, and develop a critical lens to tackle complex topics like tourism with clarity and depth.
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