Commercialised festivals: IELTS essay ideas

Many traditional festivals have turned into commercial occasions centred on shopping and tourists. I disagree that this is a positive development, although I recognise that it brings certain benefits.

The main argument in favour is financial. Festivals attract visitors who spend money on hotels, food and souvenirs, which provides income for local communities and creates temporary jobs. This revenue can pay for the organisation of the event and for the preservation of customs that would otherwise be too costly to maintain. Commercial promotion can also make a festival famous worldwide. Rio's carnival and Japan's cherry blossom celebrations are known globally partly because of publicity, and their reputation encourages local people to be proud of them.

Nevertheless, I believe the drawbacks are more serious. When festivals are shaped by marketing, they gradually lose their original meaning. A religious or seasonal ceremony may be shortened, changed or turned into a show, with the focus on selling products rather than on the customs and values behind it. In many countries, holidays now mean discount sales and gift buying, and people feel pressure to spend more than they can afford. Another concern is that residents can be pushed aside. Prices rise during festival periods, crowds fill the streets and ordinary families who once took part find themselves watching from the edges, or avoid the event altogether.

It is possible to enjoy the economic benefits of festivals without these negative effects. Organisers can limit advertising, protect the core rituals and involve local people in planning, so that the festival remains authentic while still attracting visitors.

In conclusion, although commercialisation can bring money and fame, it tends to destroy the meaning of traditions and exclude local communities, so I do not regard it as a positive development.