B2 – Upper Intermediate
As summer draws closer and closer, a noticeable shift is occurring in popular tourist destinations like Ibiza and Mallorca. Locals in these parts are expressing firm desire for respectful tourists and raising concerns about the negative impact of mass tourism.
Read this article to learn about the changing attitudes towards tourism in popular destinations.
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240522-the-worlds-revolt-against-bad-tourists
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to stem the flow of something” mean? “In hotly visited Venice, tourist fees have begun for daytrippers to try to stem the flow of unending visitors.” Make a sentence with this expression.
- Define “tourism levy“. “And Bali recently announced a new tourism levy after a series of incidents involving visitors desecrating holy sites and behaving disrespectfully.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
- What does “a force for good” mean? “I see travel as a force for good. We don’t want to make it only possible for rich people to have these mind-opening experiences, but they need to be able to do it in a responsible way so we don’t ruin the planet at the same time.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on the growing anti-tourist sentiment in places like Ibiza and Mallorca?
- How do you believe tourists can better respect local culture and nature when visiting a destination?
- Do you believe that mass tourism has a positive or negative impact on local communities? Why?
- In your ideal travel scenario, what would a responsible and sustainable tourist experience look like for you?
- How do you think tourism patterns will change in the future, considering the ongoing discussions about sustainability and responsible travel?