Unité 5: English for Tourism

Here is an extract from one of the brochures that the travel agent gave Thomas:

“Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, close to the coast of Africa. The island enjoys spring weather all year round, with average temperatures of 20 degrees in winter and 25 in the summer. Tenerife is the ideal place to enjoy the seaside or to practise all sorts of outdoor activities, both in the sea and on land. Tenerife has much to offer culturally and commercially: a permanent calendar of exhibitions, music and theatre, as well as the best shops and shopping centres. For nightlife, there are atmospheres to suit every taste. And don't forget to enjoy the delicious fish and seafood in Tenerife's typical restaurants!”

Thomas read his brochures, but went to the Greek Island of Rhodes instead, because there was a special offer. When he got there he didn't want to spend all day every day on the beach, so he went to the Tourist Office to get some information.

The words tourist and tourism are quite modern, but tourism is much older. People have always travelled to distant parts of the world in order to see great buildings or works of art, to learn new languages, or simply for pleasure. Nowadays, however, organised tourism is an enormous industry all over the world, and many national economies depend on it. In the past tourism meant travelling to foreign countries, but now it also includes travelling within your own country. The last century saw the growth of mass tourism, with package tours to holiday resorts in the sun. In recent years tourists have begun to look for alternatives to crowded resorts, and other forms of tourism have developed.

Sunshine tourism with package holidays in seaside resorts is still popular, and now includes destinations on the other side of the world, but in the past few decades other forms of tourism have been developed. One new form of tourism which is gaining popularity is ecotourism. This offers safaris, trips to rain forests or national parks, or even cruises in the polar regions. Sport tourism, particularly skiing, and adventure activities such as rafting attract more and more young people, while cultural tourism visiting historical or interesting cities is often an opportunity to take a long weekend break. Heritage tourism, visiting historical or industrial sites, language tourism, and health tourism to relieve stress, often in "health spas", are other alternatives. In recent years many people have started taking two holidays per year, with a package tour to a typical tourist resort, and a winter skiing vacation or weekend break.

Sunshine tourism with package holidays in seaside resorts is still popular, and now includes destinations on the other side of the world, but in the past few decades other forms of tourism have been developed. One new form of tourism which is gaining popularity is ecotourism.

This offers safaris, trips to rain forests or national parks, or even cruises in the polar regions. Sport tourism, particularly skiing, and adventure activities such as rafting attract more and more young people, while cultural tourism visiting historical or interesting cities is often an opportunity to take a long weekend break. Heritage tourism, visiting historical or industrial sites, language tourism, and health tourism to relieve stress, often in "health spas", are other alternatives. In recent years many people have started taking two holidays per year, with a package tour to a typical tourist resort, and a winter skiing vacation or weekend break.