B1 Level Overwhelmed by Overtourism (Source: Ivy Magazine)
Following the end of COVID-19 travel restrictions, global travel has
increased exponentially. Many destinations have seen tourist numbers return to pre-pandemic levels, with the total number of international tourists expected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030. With so many people travelling abroad, the threat of overtourism has become a huge concern. Overtourism occurs when excessive numbers of visitors overwhelm a location’s infrastructure. Examples include large cruise ships docking at small seaside towns or lines of coach buses driving to remote mountain villages. Overtourism leads to environmental degradation and strains on local communities. In many popular cities, landlords are kicking out long-term tenants and turning apartments into short-term rentals. Lines get longer, crowds get larger, and prices go up for everyone in places with overtourism. There have even been mass protests calling for reforms in the tourism industry around the globe. Various approaches have been implemented to combat overtourism. Some regions have introduced higher taxes for tourists staying in hotels or vacation rentals. Furthermore, many communities have started to limit the number of daily visitors. For example, Venice now imposes limits on the size of cruise ships that can dock in the city. A Japanese convenience store in the foothills of Mount Fuji has put up a barrier to block views in response to annoying behavior such as illegal parking and littering. Tourists also need to take steps to ensure they aren’t contributing to overtourism. Consider traveling during the off-season or at least be well- behaved tourist. Tourism can significantly benefit local communities if done with thought and consideration. Vocabulary
1. overtourism / ˌoʊ vərˈtʊər ɪz əm / - a situation in which a place of
interest is visited by too many tourists 2. tenant / ˈtɛn ənt / - a person who pays rent for the use of a room, building, land, etc. to the person who owns it 3. exponential / ˌɛk spoʊˈnɛn ʃəl, -spə- / - fast rate of increase 4. infrastructure / ˈɪn frəˌstrʌk tʃər / - the basic systems and services that are necessary for a country or an organization to run smoothly, for example buildings, transport and water and power supplies 5. degradation / ˌdɛg rəˈdeɪ ʃən / - the process of something being damaged or made worse 6. strain / streɪn / - pressure on a system or relationship because great demands are being placed on it 7. rental / ˈrɛn tl / - a house, car or piece of equipment that you can rent 8. reform / rɪˈfɔrm / - change that is made to a social system, an organization, etc. in order to improve or correct it 9. impose / ɪmˈpoʊz / - to introduce a new law, rule, tax, etc.; 10. foothill / ˈfʊtˌhɪl / - the lower hill or the base of a mountain range 11. barrier / ˈbær i ər / - an object like a fence that prevents people from moving forward from one place to another 12. littering / ˈlɪt ər ɪŋ / - to leave things in a place, making it look untidy 13. off-season / ˈɔfˈsi zən / - the time of the year that is less busy in business and travel 14. consideration / kənˌsɪd əˈreɪ ʃən / - the act of thinking carefully about something 15. annoying / əˈnɔɪ ɪŋ / - making somebody feel slightly angry True or False. If False, support your answer.
1. The number of international tourists is expected to reach 1.8
billion by 2030. 2. Overtourism only affects large cities and not small towns or villages. 3. Environmental degradation is a direct result of overtourism. 4. One approach to combat overtourism is to increase the number of daily visitors to popular locations. 5. Venice has imposed limits on the size of cruise ships that can dock in the city. 6. Tourist behavior, such as illegal parking and littering, has led to barriers being placed in certain locations. 7. Short-term rentals are being discouraged in response to overtourism by increasing the availability of long-term rentals. 8. Higher taxes for tourists staying in hotels or vacation rentals have been introduced in some regions to help combat overtourism. 9. Overtourism is only a concern in tropical tourist destinations. 10. Traveling during the off-season is one way tourists can help reduce overtourism. Comprehension Questions
1. What is the main problem caused by overtourism?
2. How many tourists are expected by 20230? 3. What kind of location can be affected by overtourism? 4. What actions have some regions taken to help manage overtourism? 5. Why do some popular cities have problems with overtourism? 6. What is one way Venice has tried to reduce the impact of overtourism? 7. What issue did a Japanese convenience store in the foothills of Mount Fuji address with a barrier? 8. What are the effects of overtourism on local communities? 9. Explain how overtourism can lead to environmental degradation. 10. Discuss why limiting the number of daily visitors could be an effective strategy to combat overtourism. Homework
Write a short essay on the following topic:
“What Can Tourists Do to Avoid Contributing to Overtourism?”
Points to Include:
1. Introduction: Explain what overtourism is and why it’s a problem.
2. Body Give at least three actions tourists can do to help reduce overtourism.
3. Conclusion Explain why it’s important for tourists to act responsibly. Briefly state how these actions can help reduce overtourism. Free Lined Graph Paper from http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/lined/ Free Lined Graph Paper from http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/lined/
