B1 – Intermediate
Recently, the Canary Islands have seen a surge in protests against tourism, with locals expressing concerns about its impact on their way of life. The protests have highlighted issues such as overcrowding, rising costs of living, and environmental degradation, prompting calls for more sustainable tourism practices.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Canarians’ protest against mass tourism.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/canarians-protest-against-tourism-level-3/
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “overwhelm” mean, “Protesters claim it’s overwhelming the islands.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the verb ‘overwhelm’ in your own sentence.
- What does “altogether” mean, “Despite this, they emphasize they’re not against tourism altogether, which is a significant part of the islands’ economy.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the adverb ‘altogether’ in your own sentence.
- What does “complex” mean in this context, “They’re frustrated that politicians prioritize building tourist complexes over residents’ needs.“? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the noun ‘complex’ in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the main problems that Canarians are protesting about?
- What is your opinion on this, “Tourism is damaging the locals’ lands and lives in the Canary Islands.“
- Do you think that politicians prioritize building hotels and not what the locals need? Share your opinion.
- How can there be a balance between the economic benefits and the negative impacts of tourism?
- What should tourists do when visiting a place so that they do not negatively impact local communities and the environment there?