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tourism-and-politics-british-english-teacher
tourism-and-politics-british-english-teacher
TOURISM
AND POLITICS
Expemo code:
1CMG-X7NB-IN6X
1 Warm up
In pairs, discuss the following questions.
Part A: Match the terms on the left to the definitions on the right.
5. empower (v) e. the evidence of the past such as historical sites and objects
6. assert (v) f. act forcefully about something to show you have power
7. ailing (adj.) g. make something seem acceptable that is not fair or honest
8. heritage (n) h. publicly blaming someone for something bad even though it
might not be their fault
3. Some people argue that tourism can local communities and economies.
7. Critics argue that mass tourism can destroy the of traditional cultures.
1. How does the development of tourism infrastructure empower local communities to preserve
their cultural heritage?
2. How can sustainable tourism practices empower communities to protect their heritage without
over-exploiting it?
You are going to read an article about the connection between tourism and politics (page three). First,
rank the following benefits of tourism from 1 - 6, with 1 being the most important. Then read the
text on the next page to find which reasons are mentioned in the article.
5. Spreads democracy.
1. Tickets, money, passports! We all know what to 8. Hosts and guests exchange observations and ideas.
check for during that last-minute packing panic. But They form relationships. And they stimulate mutual
preparing for your holidays is about more than what creativity. It is only in the past 20 years that
you squeeze into your suitcase. It is about making a China began to allow its people to freely travel
political choice. abroad after decades of forced isolation. Politicians
2. Tourism is an industry tied up with national and are frequently fearful of the subversive ideas and
international politics like no other. Tourists are a awkward questions that travellers might bring back
source of foreign exchange, governments promote with them.
themselves through visitors, and politicians quite 9. In Barcelona, a city dependent on tourism for its
often worry about the social freedom that tourism late 20th-century revival, tourists are being made
can nurture. For these reasons, tourists are increasingly unwelcome. The increasing costs of
welcomed but also scapegoated. living for residents are blamed on tourists, rather than
3. At the most basic level, tourism counts as an export the broader challenges of inequality and financial
industry. It is a source of foreign currency and can stagnation.
help to prop up a nation financially.
10. Tourism is also a way for governments to assert their
4. However, local people often see few of the benefits
ideologies, both internally and externally. Visitors
of hosting tourists. Large organisations tend to
to Cuba for example can visit the Museum of the
control much of the tourism industry. These
Revolution, reportedly one of the top things to do in
frequently pay little local tax. Meanwhile, local
Havana.
people shoulder much of the burden of sharing their
space and facilities with visitors. 11. Research has shown that exhibits presented as a
heritage to tourists prioritise certain stories and
5. Some indigenous people have asked foreign tourists
silence others. Over time, the official narrative
to stay away. They have argued that tourism
becomes established, and other perspectives may be
is threatening their culture, damaging their land’s
forgotten.
ecosystems, and is a form of colonialism. In Hawaii,
attempts are being made to tackle some of the issues 12. Meanwhile, tourism can also be a means of raising
arising from the tourism industry’s over-exploitation and modifying a country’s image on the world stage.
of the open and hospitable native culture.
13. So, there are a few things to consider when planning
6. Where you spend your holiday money, therefore,
your holiday. Find out whether your travel provider
contributes to legitimising particular politicians and
is committed to investing in local taxes, jobs and
their policies. However, tourists don’t just bring
suppliers. Research the attitudes of local residents
money into a destination. They also bring social and
towards tourism beforehand so that you can be a
cultural values.
better guest. Finally, bring back more than a nice tan
7. Tourism has been associated with liberalising social by swapping ideas, stories and phone numbers.
values, empowering minorities, and even spreading
Adapted from theconversation.com, by Brendan
democracy. In Spain, for example, the growth of
Canavan, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University
tourism was initiated under the dictator Francisco
of Huddersfield
Franco as a means of propping up an ailing economy.
It has been suggested that it helped to bring about
democratic change.
4 Checking understanding
1. What are large organisations not doing in order to help the local economy?
4. What did China allow its citizens to start doing just 20 years ago?
6. According to research, what happens with the information that is given to tourists about a
country’s past?
Find a word or phrase in the article (page four) which suits the definitions below.
Listen to the podcast with the person who loves travelling and tick phrases you have heard.
mutual prop up
7 Listening comprehension
2. How did the caller describe the relationship between the government and the tourism industry in
some countries?
a. The government was actively working to prop up the tourism industry.
c. The government was actively working to shut down the tourism industry.
a. thriving
b. struggling
d. not mentioned
4. How did the caller feel about the relationship between tourism and politics?
a. It is not important.
8 Talking point
Transcripts
Host: Welcome to our podcast, where we explore the intersection of tourism and politics. Today,
we have with us a caller who is a keen tourist and who has recently returned from a trip
abroad. Can you tell us about your experience and how you feel tourism and politics are
tied up with each other?
Tourist: Definitely. I visited a few different countries on my trip, and in each one, I found that the
government and tourism industry were closely connected. In some cases, the government
was actively working to prop up the tourism industry, while in others, the industry seemed
to shoulder much of the burden when it came to issues arising from political instability.
Host: Can you give us an example of a country where you felt the government was actively
working to prop up the tourism industry?
Tourist: Yes, I visited India and I found that the government was investing a lot of resources into
promoting the country as a tourist destination. They were offering tax incentives for hotels
and other tourism-related businesses, and they were also heavily promoting the country’s
rich cultural heritage through various marketing campaigns.
Host: And can you give an example of a country where you felt the industry was shouldering much
of the burden when it came to issues arising from political instability?
Tourist: Yeah, I visited Nepal, and there was A LOT of political turmoil happening at the time. I found
that the tourism industry was really struggling as a result. Many of the local businesses that
rely on tourism, like hotels and restaurants, were experiencing financial stagnation because
of the drop in visitors.
Host: It’s interesting to hear how tourism and politics can be so closely connected. Do you think
it’s important for there to be a mutual understanding and cooperation between the two?
Tourist: Absolutely. I think it’s important for the government and the tourism industry to work
together to ensure that the country is seen as a safe and desirable destination for visitors.
And it’s also important for tourists to be aware of the political climate of a country before
they visit, so they can make informed decisions about their travel plans.
Host: Thank you for sharing your insights with us. It’s been great having you on the show.
Tourist: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure. I am off to plan my next trip!
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TEACHER MATERIALS · ADVANCED (C1-C2)
Key
1. Warm up
5 mins.
This section gives students an opportunity to express their initial views on the topic. Encourage students to ask
questions and convey their ideas. Ensure they understand the questions.
Part A:
5 mins.
Ask students to match given terms with definitions. Check students’ pronunciation of complicated words. Ask
students to complete the task unaided at first, but give them assistance if necessary
1. → d. 2. → h. 3. → a. 4. → g. 5. → c. 6. → f. 7. → b. 8. → e.
Part B:
5 mins.
Students look at the words next to the gap to decide what type of word is needed and use the context.
5 mins.
Before students start reading, they (according to themselves) rank the benefits from 1-6. There isn’t one correct
ranking, so the answers may differ. Then students read the article and tick the benefits that are mentioned there.
4. Checking understanding
10 mins.
Students try to answer the questions in pairs or small groups without going back to the reading. Then, they check
their answers by re-reading the article.
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Learn without forgetting! ii
Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
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HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
TEACHER MATERIALS · ADVANCED (C1-C2)
10 mins.
Students go back to the text and look for the words or phrases that suit the definitions. Let them do this exercise
unaided first but if needed assist them.
5 mins.
Students listen to the recording and tick the phrases they hear. You may draw to their attention that not all the
phrases have been used and that those that have been used, might appear in a random order.
7. Listening comprehension
5 mins.
Go through the questions before replaying the recording. You may ask your students to choose the correct answers
before listening and then play the recording in order to check their guesses.
1. c. 2. a. 3. b. 4. c. 5. c.
8. Talking point
5 mins.
Ask students to use as much vocabulary as they can recall answering the questions.
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Learn without forgetting! iii
Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Noemi Szabo's lessons.