How to Be a Better Tourist
How to Be a Better Tourist
https://student.grablingo.com/materials_units/1873
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
resident
Noun
ˈrɛzɪdənt
a person who lives in a particular place
Are you a resident of this neighborhood?
balance
Verb
ˈbæləns
to give equal importance to two different things
I find it difficult to balance work and family time.
unwelcome
Adjective
ʌnˈwelkəm
not wanted
We have a guard dog to keep out unwelcome visitors.
litter
Verb
ˈlɪtər
to drop garbage in a public place
You will get a $500 fine if you are caught littering in California.
separate
Verb
ˌsɛpəˈreɪt
to divide into different parts, groups, etc.
We need to separate cans from the rest of the trash.
crowded
Adjective
ˈkraʊdɪd
full of people; busy
The shop was so crowded that I couldn't even buy anything.
Exercise 2
Article
How to Be a Better Tourist
A record 1.3 billion people traveled to another country in 2017, bringing over $1.3 trillion to destinations around the world.
But residents in some places are complaining about rising tourist numbers and bad visitor behavior. In order to balance the needs of locals and travelers, governments are introducing rules to limit the number of Airbnbs and visitors in some areas.
Of course, many of us still want to travel – but nobody wants to feel unwelcome. So what can we do to be better tourists?
Be polite and follow local rules
When you travel, remember that your destination is also somebody’s home. Be polite, don’t be noisy, and if you drink, don’t drink too much.
Be sure to follow traffic rules, and don’t litter. If there are rules for separating garbage, do your best to follow them.
Act like a local, not like a tourist
Don’t spend too long taking photos, and try not to bother people on the street.
You should also learn some words in the local language – even a few words will help. Locals often like it when tourists make an effort to speak their language.
Avoid busy times and locations
Instead of going to the most popular tourist spots, try visiting lesser-known locations. They won’t be as crowded, and you’ll help the local economy.
If you are planning to visit a busy spot, don't go at the most popular time of year. This will help you avoid the crowds, and might even save you some money as well!
Stay at hotels
It’s best to stay at hotels, as research suggests that Airbnbs can cause rent prices to go up, which makes it harder for locals to live in the area. If you do stay at an Airbnb, try to choose a property where the owner shares part of the space, as these have less effect on local rent prices.
Exercise 3
Questions
How many people traveled to another country in 2017?
What rules are being introduced to balance the needs of locals and travelers?
According to the article, why should you stay at hotels when traveling?
Exercise 4
Discussion
Which of the tips featured in the article did you find most useful?
Would you agree that it’s important to act like a local when you travel? Why? Why not?
Do you usually try to learn a few words in the local language when traveling abroad? Why? Why not?
Have you ever felt unwelcome in a foreign country? Please share your experience.
Which of your country's lesser-known locations would you recommend visiting? Please describe them.
Exercise 5
Further Discussion
What was the last place you visited abroad? Would you recommend it?
What's the longest you've stayed in a foreign country? Please explain your answer.
Do you usually take a lot of photos when you travel? Why? Why not?
Have you ever used Airbnb? If so, was it better than staying at a hotel? If not, would you like to?
A great way to learn about your country is to leave it. - Henry Rollins. What do you make of this statement?
