Task 2 model answer: Why do people travel abroad?

International travel, once a luxury for the wealthy few, has become a routine part of life for many people. This essay will explain the main reasons for this change and argue that, despite some environmental costs, it is a largely positive development.

The growth in foreign travel has two principal causes. The first is cost. Low-cost airlines and online booking platforms have dramatically reduced the price of flights and accommodation, so that a weekend abroad can now cost less than a train journey within one's own country. The second is rising prosperity in emerging economies. As incomes have grown in countries such as China and India, millions of people have joined the middle class and now have both the money and the desire to see the world.

In my view, this trend brings significant benefits. Tourism is a vital source of income for many countries, supporting jobs in hotels, restaurants and transport. On a personal level, travel exposes people to unfamiliar cultures, which can reduce prejudice and encourage tolerance. Students who spend time abroad, for example, often return with greater independence and a broader perspective.

This is not to deny the drawbacks. Aviation is a significant source of carbon emissions, and popular destinations such as Venice suffer from overcrowding that damages the very places tourists come to see. However, these problems call for better management — such as aviation taxes and visitor limits — rather than a reduction in travel itself.

To conclude, more people travel abroad because it has become cheaper and because more people can afford it. Although the environmental impact must be addressed, the economic and cultural benefits make this a positive development overall.