whose particular holiday option they feel is somehow less worthy than their own. Yet on this occasion I found myself trying to explain to my parents why I disapproved of their preferences and how I felt that their style of travel was based on ignorance.
C When I look at package tourism, I see people who don’t want to make an effort and who care very little about what they experience as long as they get some good holiday snaps and come home with a suntan. The vast majority of any profit made at large chain hotels is sent back to the United States or the wealthier European countries while local employees are paid a pittance. I understand that people who opt for these holidays seek a bit of luxury or escapism from a dull 9 to 5 back home, but I don’t think half of them ever stop to think about the people who cleaned their room, cooked their food or drove them around. These people probably earn less in a year than the tourists do in a week. They don’t realize that by buying an all-inclusive deal and relying on their hotel for every meal and all their entertainment they are contributing even less to the local economy. Even those who are aware seem unwilling to make a few simple changes that would help to make their travel more sustainable.
D In saying all of this, I realize I am not the perfect traveller. Although I have never booked a package holiday, I often stay in upmarket hotels, I occasionally eat in western-style chain restaurants and frequently rely on people who have almost certainly had a far less privileged education than mine to speak my language – English. I’m sure there is far more I could do support sustainability, but I’d like to think that I’m learning and that I’m keen to know more. I want to travel in a way that contributes to a local economy and in a way that is respectful to the local communities I pass through.
E I realize that the attraction of these package deals is that they offer incomparable value for money. People on low incomes have the opportunity of a cheap break in a warm climate that they would otherwise simply not be able to afford. However, other options are available. I like many others have travelled in the past on a shoe-string budget, and had memorable experiences. A holiday might take a little more time and effort to plan and there might be more uncertainly involved, but a culturally rewarding experience that respects the local community is possible.
F Perhaps, after all, I am rather snobbish when it comes to travel. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that package tourism is ruining the planet, but it certainly isn’t doing a great deal to protect it. I don’t see people who opt for a package holiday as inferior to me in any way, but I can’t pretend that I like the choice they’re making. I think it’s important to look beyond the convenience of these deals and see what is really happening. I would urge anyone planning to book one of these holidays to look at the alternatives. There are a thousand adventures out there waiting to be had. Source:
www.runawayjane.com
For questions 6–12, decide if the following statements reflect the claims of the writer in the reading passage? Write:
• (Y) YES if the statement reflects the claims of the writer. • (N) NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer. • (NG) NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.
6. People who go on package holidays learn less than people who travel independently. ___ 7. Most young backpackers are very snobbish.
___
8. People who go on package holidays mainly want to take photos and lie in the sun. ___ 9. Local people employed in tourism earn good money.
10. Better quality hotels are more comfortable than cheaper options. 11. People who earn little can only afford to buy package holidays. 12. More travellers should choose adventure holidays.
___ ___ ___ ___
Pathway to IELTS 6.0 93
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