Every year a lot of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. For many of them travelling is the most important event in the year.
People travel the globe to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change of scene. The tourist industry will soon be the largest industry in the world. Many places that once were remote are now part of package tours. Tourism has been industrialized: landscapes, cultures and cuisines are consumer goods displayed in travel leaflets. In recent years tourism has really taken off.
Today people have lots of good reasons to travel. Travelling has always been a part of people’s education. The best way to study geography is to travel and the best way to get to know and understand the traditions and customs of different people is to speak to them. Besides, travelling is a good way to practise foreign languages.
If you ask people why they travel, they will often mention world’s most treasured sites, well-known museums, national parks or castles. It goes without saying that it’s always interesting to discover new places and new ways of life, to try foreign food and to listen to unusual musical rhythms. It’s much better than sitting at home and doing nothing.
Some people are against travelling. They say that tourists have no respect for the countries they visit. A lot of tourist places are polluted and many of historical monuments are in danger of being destroyed by unstoppable march of tourism. Besides, today travelling is rather expensive. That’s why some people prefer to spend their holidays in the country or at home in front of TV.
But why not make the most of your holiday and try something different? Certainly, travelling broadens the mind. But travel is more than sightseeing. It is a change, deep and permanent, that goes on in our ideas.
Write four words into the gaps:
1. People travel the globe and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change of scene.
2. The best way to study geography is to travel and get to know and understand the traditions and customs of different people is to speak to them.
3. A lot of tourist places are polluted and many of historical monuments are in danger of being of tourism.