Visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.


Model Answer:

People tend to travel to different countries for vacation or official purposes. Some people believe that tourists should respect the native culture and way of life, while others contend that it is the duty of a host country appreciate the cultural variety. The essay is dealt with the both side and then the opinion will be presented.

It is quite natural that the visitors ought to comply with the social norm of the foreign territory. Firstly, it helps to avoid some bitter experience. For instance, in the month of Ramadan, it is restricted to eat openly in the Muslim countries. In this instance, any traveler should conform to the etiquette to avert unpleasant incidents. Besides, tourists can enrich themselves learning the local culture, their attitudes and values. Japan is a very good example to be mentioned here. Hence, travelers can participate many traditional ceremonial occasions like the famous tea ceremony and learn different types of bow and their meanings.

On the flip side, it is also very rational that host country should appreciate cultural diversity. First of all, local people can be acquainted with foreign culture that results in broadening their horizon of knowledge. In addition, it enhances the cultural tolerance and at the same time, it also can assuage the international tension. Secondly, tourism comes out to be a big boon for many countries. In this instance, an interesting evidence here is Anguilla. The drastic expansion of tourism improvements creates an excellent opportunity for new partnership with multinational companies and augments foreign investment in luxury tourism. Anguilla attains 75% GDP “(Gross Domestic Product) from its tourists’ expenditure.

In my opinion, both the views seem to have their own rationale to some extends. In a way, these attitudes improve cultures and at the same time, these also contribute to the economy. Therefore, respecting local culture and welcoming cultural diversity both can bring blessing for the world as well as for the host territory.