Tourism and nature: IELTS essay ideas

Some people believe that tourism harms the natural environment, whereas others think it can actually help to protect it. In my view, both are true, and the outcome depends on how tourism is organised.

Those who see tourism as harmful have good evidence. Large numbers of visitors cause pollution, from litter to sewage, and they damage fragile habitats by trampling vegetation or disturbing wildlife. Coral reefs, for example, have been broken by careless divers and boat anchors. The construction of hotels, roads and airports to serve visitors destroys natural areas, and demand for souvenirs can encourage the trade in endangered species. When too many people arrive at once, the environment cannot cope.

On the other hand, tourism can support conservation. Entrance fees and tourist spending provide money to manage national parks, pay rangers and fight poachers; in countries such as Kenya and Rwanda, income from wildlife viewing is a major reason why governments protect elephants and gorillas. Tourism also creates jobs for local people, who then have a financial reason to preserve the animals and landscapes around them rather than hunting or cutting down forests. In addition, seeing nature at first hand raises awareness, so visitors return home more concerned about environmental issues and often donate or volunteer.

I believe that tourism is neither automatically harmful nor automatically helpful. When visitor numbers are limited, profits are shared with local people and operators follow strict environmental rules, it can protect nature. When it is uncontrolled and driven by short-term profit, it destroys what attracts people in the first place. Governments therefore play a key role in setting limits and checking that fees are used for conservation.

In conclusion, tourism can damage the environment, but well-managed tourism can fund its protection, so regulation is the deciding factor.