Discussion essay
Tourism and Local Culture IELTS Essay: Answering a Common Globalisation Prompt
Learn how to answer a tourism and local culture IELTS essay prompt with balanced arguments and clearer idea development.
Prompt
Some people think international tourism is beneficial for local culture, while others think it damages traditional ways of life. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
How to think about this question
This prompt can become vague very quickly because both sides seem obvious. Better essays focus on mechanism: how tourism preserves, commercialises, or reshapes culture.
The strongest discussion essays treat each side fairly before reaching a clear judgment.
Why this prompt matters
It tests whether you can handle cultural arguments without drifting into unsupported generalisation.
It is useful practice for discussion structure and balanced body paragraphs.
Planning steps
List one preservation benefit and one distortion risk.
Decide whether your conclusion is balanced or leans clearly toward one side.
Keep examples concrete, such as festivals, crafts, or historical sites.
Common mistakes
Saying tourism is good for the economy without linking it to culture.
Mixing both views inside one body paragraph.
Forgetting to give a personal opinion after discussing both sides.
Paragraph plan
Introduction with the issue and your view.
Body 1 on cultural preservation and awareness.
Body 2 on commercialisation or loss of authenticity.
Conclusion with a clear final judgment.
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