IELTS Writing Task 2: International Tourism

Question. International tourism has brought economic benefits to many countries, but it can also cause problems. Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Band 9 model answer

Tourism has become a major global industry. While it can strain destinations, I believe its economic benefits generally outweigh the problems when it is well managed.

The clearest advantage is income and jobs. Tourists spend on hotels, transport and local crafts, supporting whole communities; for a country like Bangladesh, promoting sites such as the Sundarbans or Cox’s Bazar could create thousands of jobs and earn valuable foreign currency.

Nevertheless, unmanaged tourism causes real harm. Popular sites suffer litter, overcrowding and damage to fragile ecosystems, and local prices can rise beyond what residents can afford.

In conclusion, provided that governments invest in sustainable planning, the jobs and income tourism generates outweigh its drawbacks, making it a net benefit for developing economies.