September 27th • Economy & Culture

World Tourism Day

Celebrated since 1980, this day highlights the importance of tourism to the international community. Tourism is a massive driver of economic growth, but it also faces significant challenges—from environmental degradation to the over-tourism that threatens local cultures. Today, we debate whether travel is a human right, the impact of Airbnb on local communities, and how we can become conscious travelers in a world of social media-driven tourism.

A traveler looking out over a beautiful landscape

Speaking Discussion

What was the last country you visited? Did you feel like a tourist or a traveler? What is the difference?
Is over-tourism (too many people visiting one place) actually a problem, or should cities be happy to have the extra money?
How has social media (like Instagram) changed the way people choose their travel destinations?
Should there be a carbon tax on international flights to help combat climate change, even if it makes travel more expensive?
In your opinion, does tourism help to preserve a country's culture, or does it turn it into a cheap performance?
If you could travel to any place in the world for free, but you were never allowed to take a single photo, would you still go?

Activity 1: The conscious traveler Itinerary

The Task: You are a Travel Blogger. You want to design a 7-day trip to your home country that is 100% sustainable and supports local businesses.

What is the most authentic experience you will include?

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

"The best thing about travelling to a new place is..."
"I think hotels are better than Airbnbs because..."
"In my opinion, the future of tourism will be..."

Key Vocabulary

Over-tourism (N) A situation in which too many tourists visit a place, resulting in negative effects for the local community and environment.
Conscious Traveler (N) Someone who makes intentional travel choices that have a positive impact on the environment, economy, and culture.
Authentic (Adj) Of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine; (often used to describe real cultural experiences).
Sustainability (N) The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level; preventing the depletion of natural resources.
Infrastructure (N) The basic physical and organizational structures (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society.

Fluency Catalyst

The "Travel" Phrases: When talking about exploration, use: "To get off the beaten track," or "To travel light."

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