Task 2 essay
IELTS Writing Task 2: Tourism and local people
Question type: Two-part question: why popular, and what effects on local people?
The question
International tourism has grown rapidly in recent decades.
Why has tourism become so popular? What effects does it have on the people who live in popular destinations?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Write your own answer first. Then get an estimated band and corrections from our AI marker.
Answer this questionHow to approach it
- Answer both questions: one paragraph on reasons, one on effects.
- Discuss both positive and negative effects on local people.
- Use real examples of popular destinations if you know them.
Model essay
266 words (minimum 250). Written to show the features of a Band 8-level answer.
International tourism has grown enormously in recent decades, with millions of people now travelling abroad every year. This essay will explain the reasons for this growth and discuss its effects on people who live in popular destinations.
Several factors have made tourism so popular. Firstly, travel has become much cheaper, thanks largely to budget airlines and online booking websites that allow travellers to compare prices easily. Secondly, incomes have risen in many countries, particularly in Asia, creating a large new middle class with money to spend on holidays. Thirdly, social media has played a part, as people see photographs of attractive places shared by friends and influencers and want to visit them themselves.
The effects on local people are mixed. On the positive side, tourism creates jobs in hotels, restaurants and transport, and brings money into areas that might otherwise have little employment. Income from tourism can also help to pay for the protection of historic sites and natural areas. However, there are also serious disadvantages. In cities such as Venice and Barcelona, large numbers of visitors have caused overcrowding, and many homes have been converted into short-term holiday rentals. As a result, rents have risen, and some local residents can no longer afford to live in their own neighbourhoods. Traditional shops may also be replaced by souvenir stores aimed at tourists.
In conclusion, tourism has grown because travel is cheaper, people are wealthier and social media inspires them to visit new places. For local people, it brings valuable jobs and income, but it can also raise living costs and change the character of their communities.
Useful language from this answer
- thanks largely to…
- giving the main reason
- a large new middle class
- a growing group with moderate income
- the effects on local people are mixed
- introducing both positive and negative effects
- short-term holiday rentals
- homes rented to tourists for short stays
- change the character of
- make a place feel different
Common mistakes with this question
- Writing only about the effects on tourists or on the environment instead of on local people.
- Answering only the first question.
- Listing many reasons in one sentence without explaining any of them.
Now write your own answer
Reading a model helps, but writing is what improves your band. Answer this question and get an estimated band for all four criteria, with corrections taken from your own sentences.
This model answer was written by TestWise Prep to show the features of a high-scoring answer. It is not official IELTS material. Use it for ideas and language, not to memorise.