Divya from Mangaluru got a question about tourism harming local communities. She wrote “tourists come and spoil the place” and stopped there.

Learn IELTS tourism and culture vocabulary as phrases with their usual partners, not as single words. The 15 phrases below sit in two groups, with three Task 2 questions and three Part 3 questions to practise on.

How Do You Say More Than “Tourists Spoil the Place”?

The official IELTS website explains that you can extend an idea by adding more detail, and support it by giving examples. Divya’s sentence needs both: what is spoiled, how, and for whom.

Hill stations in peak season, heritage sites, homestays and festivals give you examples to draw on.

Tourism Words: Travel

Word or phrase Meaning Example
mass tourism Tourism in which very large numbers of people visit the same places. Mass tourism can put pressure on beaches and water supplies.
tourist destination A place that many tourists visit. A quiet beach town can become a popular tourist destination.
peak season The time of year when a place is busiest with visitors. Hotel prices in hill stations rise during the peak season.
sightseeing Visiting interesting buildings and places as a tourist. We went sightseeing in the old part of the city.
off the beaten track Far away from the places that many visitors go to. Some travellers prefer villages that are off the beaten track.
ecotourism Holidays designed to harm the environment as little as possible. Ecotourism can provide money to protect forests and wildlife.
hospitality industry Hotels, restaurants and other businesses that look after guests. Hotels and restaurants provide jobs in the hospitality industry.
souvenir Something you buy to remind you of a place you visited. I bought a small wooden carving as a souvenir of the trip.

Culture Words: Culture and Heritage

Word or phrase Meaning Example
cultural heritage Traditions, customs and buildings handed down from the past. Old temples and festivals are part of a region’s cultural heritage.
historical site A place that is important because of events in its past. Schools can take pupils to visit a historical site.
preserve To keep something in its original state or in good condition. Volunteers work to preserve old buildings from decay.
traditional customs Ways of behaving that have been passed down for a long time. Festivals help communities keep their traditional customs alive.
local economy The businesses and jobs of a particular area. Tourism can bring money into the local economy.
cultural awareness Understanding of other people’s customs and ways of life. Travelling can improve your cultural awareness.
overtourism Too many tourists visiting the same place. Overtourism can make life difficult for local residents.

How to Avoid Vocabulary Mistakes

Incorrect: “On our holiday to Rajasthan, we went for many sightseeings.”

Correct: “On our holiday to Rajasthan, we went sightseeing in several cities.”

Sightseeing is uncountable, and Oxford Learner’s gives the pattern “to go sightseeing”.

Incorrect: “Governments should spend money on the preserve of old buildings.”

Correct: “Governments should spend money on the preservation of old buildings.”

Preserve is the verb; preservation is the noun.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Tourism and Culture Practice Questions

Give yourself five minutes to plan each answer, which is our advice, not an IELTS rule. Then write it using at least four phrases from the tables.

Practice question 1 (written for this post)

Some people believe that tourism does more good than harm to local communities, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

  • Tourism can create jobs in hotels, transport and shops.
  • Visitors’ spending can support small local businesses.
  • Crowds can damage nature and push up prices for residents.
  • Meeting visitors may help residents and tourists understand each other better.

Practice question 2 (written for this post)

Some people think foreign visitors should pay more than local residents to enter historical sites. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Higher prices for foreign visitors could raise money for conservation.
  • Local people may already contribute through their taxes.
  • Two prices might feel unfair or discourage some visitors.
  • Cheaper entry lets residents enjoy their own heritage.

Practice question 3 (written for this post)

Some people think governments should spend public money on preserving old buildings. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Old buildings are part of a country’s history and identity.
  • Restored sites can attract visitors and support the local economy.
  • Schools, hospitals and transport may need the money more.
  • Private donors or ticket sales could cover some of the cost.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Tourism and Culture Questions and Sample Answers

Part 3 is a discussion of general, abstract issues linked to your Part 2 topic, so practise extended answers on abstract topics and language for giving reasons.

Why do people enjoy travelling abroad?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

I think people want to see how others live and try different food. It also builds cultural awareness, because you meet people with different traditional customs. And a trip off the beaten track can feel more like an adventure than a standard holiday.

How can tourism damage a place?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

If too many people visit at once, as in the peak season, you get overtourism: litter, noise and crowded streets. Mass tourism can also push up prices for residents, and traditional customs may be changed just to entertain visitors. So a place may need limits on visitor numbers.

Should old buildings always be preserved?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

Not always. Buildings that are an important part of our cultural heritage deserve protection, and a historical site can bring in visitors too. But if a building is unsafe and has little history, replacing it with a school or clinic might be more sensible.

Tip

Write one sentence about a place you know, using one phrase from each table.

Key Takeaways

  • Learn tourism phrases with their usual partners, not as single words.
  • Sightseeing and overtourism are uncountable, so use no “a” or plural “s”.
  • In Task 2, weigh local income against damage to people and places.

The bottom line: Replace “tourists come and spoil the place” with a sentence that names the problem, such as overtourism, and who is affected.