Level: IELTS Academic Writing Task 2
Task type: Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Recommended time: 40 minutes
Word count: At least 250 words

Question

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

International tourism brings money and jobs to many places, but it can also damage local culture and the environment.

Do the advantages of international tourism outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

How to Write This Essay

This is an advantages outweigh disadvantages essay. You must discuss both sides, but you also need to give a clear judgement about which side is stronger.

The key question is not simply:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism?

The real question is:

Are the benefits more important than the problems?

A strong answer could be:

International tourism has serious disadvantages, especially for the environment and local culture, but the advantages can outweigh them if tourism is managed responsibly.

This is a balanced and flexible position.

Suggested Essay Structure

Introduction
Paraphrase the question and give your overall opinion.

Body paragraph 1: Advantages
Explain the economic and social benefits of international tourism.

Possible ideas:

Tourism creates jobs in hotels, restaurants, transport and tour companies.
It brings foreign currency into the local economy.
It can support small businesses and local craftspeople.
It may encourage governments to improve roads, airports and public spaces.

Body paragraph 2: Disadvantages
Explain the cultural and environmental problems.

Possible ideas:

Popular places may become overcrowded.
Local traditions may be changed or commercialised for visitors.
Natural areas can be damaged by hotels, waste and traffic.
Local people may be priced out of housing in tourist areas.

Body paragraph 3: Final judgement
Explain why the advantages do or do not outweigh the disadvantages.

A good position:

Tourism is beneficial when it is controlled.
Governments should limit damage through regulations, environmental protection and support for local communities.
Without good management, the disadvantages can become stronger.

Conclusion
Repeat your final judgement clearly.

Useful Vocabulary for This Topic

international tourism
local communities
economic growth
employment opportunities
foreign currency
hospitality industry
small businesses
cultural heritage
traditional way of life
overcrowding
environmental damage
pollution
commercialisation
responsible tourism
sustainable tourism
local residents
tourist infrastructure

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not write only about the advantages. The question clearly mentions disadvantages too.

Do not simply list advantages and disadvantages without saying which side is stronger.

Do not give an unclear answer such as “there are both advantages and disadvantages” without a final judgement.

Do not ignore local people. The question is about tourism and local communities, not just tourists.

Do not use extreme claims such as “tourism always destroys culture” or “tourism has no disadvantages”. A balanced answer is usually stronger.

Band 6.5 Model Answer

International tourism is very important for many countries because it brings money and creates jobs. However, it can also cause problems for local culture and the environment. In my opinion, the advantages usually outweigh the disadvantages if governments manage tourism carefully.

One major advantage of international tourism is that it helps the local economy. Tourists spend money on hotels, restaurants, transport, souvenirs and entertainment. This creates employment for many people, especially in areas where there may not be many other industries. For example, people can work as hotel staff, taxi drivers, tour guides or restaurant workers. Tourism can also help small businesses, such as local shops and markets, because visitors often want to buy local products. In addition, money from tourism can be used to improve roads, airports and public facilities.

On the other hand, tourism can create serious problems. Some popular destinations become overcrowded, which can make life difficult for local residents. Prices may rise, and local people may find it harder to afford housing or everyday goods. Tourism can also damage the environment because of more traffic, rubbish and new hotels. Another problem is that local culture may become less authentic if traditions are changed only to entertain tourists.

Despite these disadvantages, I believe the benefits are greater because tourism can improve people’s incomes and provide opportunities for local communities. However, this only happens when tourism is controlled properly. Governments should protect natural areas, limit overcrowding and make sure local people benefit from the industry.

In conclusion, international tourism has clear disadvantages, but its economic benefits are very important. Therefore, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages when tourism is developed in a responsible way.

Word count: 280 words

Band 6.5 Feedback

This is a clear and relevant essay. It discusses both advantages and disadvantages and gives a direct answer to the question.

Why this is around Band 6.5:

Task Response:
The essay answers the question and gives a clear opinion: the advantages usually outweigh the disadvantages if tourism is managed carefully. The ideas are relevant, but some points could be developed in more depth.

Coherence and Cohesion:
The essay has a logical structure: introduction, advantages, disadvantages, final judgement and conclusion. Linking phrases are used correctly, but the organisation is quite predictable.

Lexical Resource:
The vocabulary is suitable for the topic, with phrases such as “local economy”, “public facilities”, “overcrowded”, “authentic” and “responsible way”. However, the range is not especially advanced.

Grammar:
The grammar is generally accurate. The essay uses some complex sentences, but many structures are straightforward.

How to improve it:
To reach Band 7 or higher, the writer should develop the examples more precisely, use more sophisticated vocabulary and show stronger control of complex grammar.

Band 8 Model Answer

International tourism is often promoted as a powerful source of income and employment, particularly in regions with few other major industries. However, it can also place considerable pressure on local traditions, housing and the natural environment. In my view, the advantages can outweigh the disadvantages, but only when tourism is regulated rather than allowed to expand without limits.

The most obvious benefit of international tourism is economic. Visitors spend money on accommodation, food, transport, attractions and local products, creating employment across a wide range of sectors. This can be especially valuable in rural or coastal areas where traditional industries such as farming or fishing may no longer provide enough income. Tourism can also support small businesses, from family-run guesthouses to craft markets and independent restaurants. In addition, tax revenue from tourism can help governments improve infrastructure, including airports, roads, public transport and cultural sites.

Nevertheless, the disadvantages are significant. When too many visitors arrive in one place, local residents may suffer from congestion, noise and rising prices. In some cities and beach resorts, short-term rentals have made housing less affordable for people who actually live there. Tourism can also weaken local culture if festivals, food or traditions are reshaped mainly to satisfy foreign expectations. Environmental damage is another serious concern, particularly when hotels are built in fragile coastal or mountain areas, or when waste and water use are poorly controlled.

Even so, these problems are not unavoidable. Governments can limit visitor numbers in sensitive areas, tax tourism businesses fairly, protect historic sites and ensure that local people receive real economic benefits. With this kind of management, tourism can fund conservation, preserve cultural heritage and give communities a reason to maintain traditions rather than abandon them.

Overall, I believe international tourism has more advantages than disadvantages, provided it is developed sustainably. Without regulation, it can be harmful, but with careful planning it can bring prosperity while protecting the places that tourists come to see.

Word count: 317 words

Band 8 Explanation

This is a stronger essay because it gives a clear judgement while still recognising the complexity of the issue.

Task Response:
The essay fully answers the question. It discusses the economic advantages, the cultural and environmental disadvantages, and then gives a clear final judgement: tourism’s advantages outweigh the disadvantages only when it is properly regulated.

Coherence and Cohesion:
The essay is well organised. The first body paragraph explains the benefits. The second body paragraph explains the problems. The third body paragraph evaluates the issue and explains how the disadvantages can be controlled. This is ideal for an “outweigh” essay.

Lexical Resource:
The vocabulary is precise and topic-specific:

source of income and employment
considerable pressure
local traditions
regulated
accommodation
family-run guesthouses
tax revenue
infrastructure
congestion
short-term rentals
foreign expectations
fragile coastal or mountain areas
sustainably
careful planning

The language is natural, flexible and accurate.

Grammar:
The essay uses a strong range of complex structures:

“Visitors spend money on…, creating employment…”
“This can be especially valuable in rural or coastal areas where…”
“Tourism can also weaken local culture if…”
“With this kind of management, tourism can…”
“Without regulation, it can be harmful, but with careful planning…”

The grammar is controlled and varied, which helps the essay reach a higher band.

Key Lesson for Students

For a do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages essay, you must do more than describe both sides. You need to clearly say which side is stronger.

A strong position for this question is:

International tourism has real cultural and environmental risks, but its economic benefits can outweigh these problems if governments manage it responsibly.

Useful Phrases for This Essay

Introducing advantages

One major benefit of international tourism is that…
Tourism creates employment in a wide range of sectors.
Visitors spend money on accommodation, food, transport and local products.
Tourism can support small businesses and local communities.
Revenue from tourism can be used to improve infrastructure.

Introducing disadvantages

However, tourism can also create serious problems.
Popular destinations may become overcrowded.
Local traditions can become commercialised.
The natural environment may be damaged by uncontrolled development.
Local residents may face rising prices and housing pressure.

Giving your judgement

In my view, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages if tourism is properly managed.
These problems are serious, but they are not unavoidable.
The benefits are greater when local communities are protected.
Without regulation, tourism can be harmful.
With careful planning, tourism can bring prosperity while protecting local culture and the environment.

Practice Task

Before reading the model answers again, write your own essay using this position:

The advantages of international tourism outweigh the disadvantages, but only when governments control overcrowding, protect the environment and make sure local people benefit.

Try to include:

a clear conclusion with your final judgement

one paragraph about jobs, income and local businesses

one paragraph about culture, housing and environmental damage

one paragraph explaining why responsible tourism can make the advantages stronger than the disadvantages

IELTS Writing Task 2: Tourism and Local Communities