IELTS Writing Task 2: Tourism Economy (Problem Solution) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Problem: The increase in tourism is causing damage to the environment in many parts of the world. Some people suggest that taxes should be imposed on tourists to limit the number of visitors.

Solution: To what extent do you think this is an effective way to manage the problem? What other suggestions do you have?

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Sample Answer

Tourism is good for economy but it causes environmental problems. Many places have too many tourists. Some people say we should tax tourists to reduce numbers. I think this is not the best solution. There are better ways to solve this problem.

First, taxing tourists is not fair. Tourists pay money to visit places. If we tax them more, they will feel angry. Also, many tourists are not rich. They cannot pay high taxes. This will make tourism unfair for poor people.

Second, there are better solutions. Governments can limit the number of tourists. They can only allow certain number of people to visit each year. Also, governments can make rules to protect environment. They can tell tourists not to litter or damage nature. If tourists break rules, they can be fined. This is better than taxing all tourists.

In conclusion, taxing tourists is not good solution. There are better ways to manage tourism and protect environment.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Addresses the task but presents a limited position. The argument is underdeveloped and lacks clear examples.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized but with some repetition and awkward transitions.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Limited range of vocabulary with some errors in word choice and collocations.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement and article usage.

Band 7.0 Answer

Sample Answer

The burgeoning tourism industry has brought significant economic benefits but has also led to environmental degradation in many regions. Implementing tourist taxes to curb visitor numbers is one proposed solution, though its effectiveness is debated. Alternative measures should be considered to address this pressing issue.

On one hand, imposing taxes on tourists can deter excessive travel but may not be the most equitable approach. Tourists already contribute financially to local economies through accommodations and activities. Additional taxes could disproportionately impact budget travelers, limiting access to cultural and natural sites. Furthermore, enforcement of such taxes can be challenging, leading to potential revenue leakage.

Conversely, implementing stricter regulations on tourist behavior could be more effective. Governments could establish quotas for visitor numbers at popular destinations during peak seasons. Additionally, educational campaigns can raise awareness about sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing waste and respecting local ecosystems. Fines for violations could serve as a stronger deterrent than blanket taxes.

In conclusion, while tourist taxes may provide some financial benefits, they are not the most effective solution. A combination of visitor quotas, education, and enforcement of environmental regulations would better balance economic gains with ecological preservation.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position and extends arguments with relevant ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Logical progression of ideas with effective use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexis and generally appropriate collocations.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Some errors in grammar and punctuation but generally accurate use of complex sentence structures.

Band 8.0 Answer

Sample Answer

The proliferation of tourism has become a double-edged sword, injecting capital into local economies while simultaneously exacerbating environmental damage. Proposals to levy taxes on tourists as a means to mitigate this issue are contentious, and alternative strategies warrant serious consideration.

Proponents of tourist taxes argue that financial disincentives could curtail excessive travel, thereby reducing environmental strain. However, this approach is fraught with inequities. Budget-conscious travelers, who often contribute more significantly to local economies through prolonged stays and frequent patronage of small businesses, would bear the brunt of such taxes. Moreover, the administrative burden of implementing and enforcing these taxes could outweigh their benefits, diverting resources from more effective conservation efforts.

A more nuanced approach would involve a multifaceted strategy combining regulatory measures and educational initiatives. Governments could institute tiered visitor quotas, allowing peak access during off-seasons and capping numbers during environmentally sensitive periods. Concurrently, partnerships with tourism operators could promote eco-friendly practices, such as carbon offset programs and waste reduction campaigns. Public awareness initiatives, targeting both tourists and locals, could foster a culture of environmental stewardship.

In essence, while tourist taxes might offer a superficial solution, a comprehensive strategy integrating regulation, education, and industry collaboration would more effectively harmonize tourism's economic benefits with ecological sustainability.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a clear, fully developed position with relevant, extended, and supported arguments.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Logical organization with effective use of cohesive devices and paragraphing.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Wide range of vocabulary with less common lexis and generally accurate collocations.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Some complex sentence structures with generally accurate grammar and punctuation.

Band 9.0 Answer

Sample Answer

The inexorable rise of tourism has precipitated both economic prosperity and ecological deterioration, necessitating innovative solutions to reconcile these competing interests. While tourist taxation is frequently posited as a panacea, its efficacy is questionable, and a more holistic approach is imperative.

The notion of imposing tourist taxes, though superficially appealing, is fraught with practical and ethical dilemmas. Economically, such levies disproportionately impact lower-income travelers, potentially alienating a demographic that contributes substantially to local economies through sustained engagement with small-scale enterprises. Furthermore, the administrative complexities of implementing and monitoring these taxes could divert scarce resources from more targeted conservation initiatives. Environmentally, taxation alone fails to address the root causes of ecological degradation, such as infrastructure strain and waste management.

A more efficacious strategy would entail the synergy of regulatory frameworks, technological innovation, and community engagement. Governments could implement dynamic pricing models, adjusting entry fees in real-time based on environmental impact indices. Smart tourism platforms could facilitate visitor distribution, directing tourists to less congested sites during peak seasons. Concurrently, public-private partnerships could invest in sustainable infrastructure, such as renewable energy-powered accommodations and waste-to-energy facilities. Educational campaigns, harnessing social media influencers and local community leaders, could cultivate a shared sense of environmental responsibility.

In summation, the challenge of balancing tourism's economic benefits with ecological preservation demands a multifaceted, adaptive strategy. By integrating advanced technologies, community engagement, and targeted regulations, societies can foster a sustainable tourism ecosystem that benefits both economies and environments.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a clear, fully developed position with relevant, extended, and supported arguments.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Logical organization with effective use of cohesive devices and paragraphing.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Wide range of vocabulary with less common lexis and generally accurate collocations.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Sophisticated sentence structures with accurate grammar and punctuation.

Vocabulary Highlights

• Burgeoning: Rapidly growing or developing (e.g., the burgeoning tourism industry).
• Degradation: Deterioration in quality or condition (e.g., environmental degradation).
• Equitable: Fair and just (e.g., an equitable approach).
• Proponents: Supporters or advocates (e.g., proponents of tourist taxes).
• Fraught with: Full of (problems or difficulties) (e.g., fraught with inequities).
• Nuanced: Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression (e.g., a nuanced approach).
• Multifaceted: Having many different aspects or features (e.g., a multifaceted strategy).
• Stewardship: The careful and responsible management of something (e.g., environmental stewardship).
• Inexorable: Impossible to stop or prevent (e.g., the inexorable rise of tourism).
• Panacea: A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases (e.g., a panacea).
• Efficacious: Effective (e.g., a more efficacious strategy).
• Dynamic: Characterized by constant change, activity, or progress (e.g., dynamic pricing models).
• Synergy: The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their individual effects (e.g., the synergy of regulatory frameworks).
• Congested: Overcrowded (e.g., less congested sites).
• Harnessing: To control and use the force or strength of something (e.g., harnessing social media influencers).

Common Mistakes

1. Overgeneralizing: Making broad statements without specific examples or evidence.
2. Repetition: Repeating the same ideas or vocabulary without variation.
3. Poor Organization: Failing to structure the essay with clear introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions.
4. Grammatical Errors: Common mistakes include subject-verb agreement, article usage, and tense consistency.
5. Vocabulary Errors: Using advanced vocabulary incorrectly or inappropriately.

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