STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Speaking Task (Discussion): Overtourism and Its Social Consequences
Examination Task
Citizens of the most popular tourist destinations organize protests against the growing number of visitors. There are many factors which contribute to such protests. Look at the list below. Discuss the following and try to decide which factor is the most and the least decisive. Be ready to justify your choice.
- Overcrowding
- Environmental pollution
- High cost of living
Sample Discussion
A: Citizens of popular tourist destinations are increasingly organizing protests due to the growing number of visitors. Let’s discuss overcrowding, environmental pollution, and the high cost of living, and try to decide which factor is the most and the least decisive. Does that sound good?
B: Yes, that sounds fine. In my opinion, overcrowding is the most decisive factor. In many cities, large numbers of tourists cause congestion in public spaces, transport systems, and historical sites. A good example is Barcelona, where overtourism has been a serious issue for years. Residents and local activists have been calling for changes to the tourism model, as the city has become simply too crowded, especially during the summer season. In addition, thousands of tourists arrive on cruise ships every day, which further increases the pressure on the cities. As a result, daily life becomes difficult, and people feel pushed out of their own neighbourhoods. Therefore, I would say overcrowding has the greatest immediate impact. What do you think?
A: I agree that overcrowding is a serious issue, especially in cities like Barcelona or Málaga, where large protests have taken place in recent years. However, I think environmental pollution might be even more significant in the long term. Tourism increases waste, air pollution, noise, and puts pressure on natural resources. For example, in popular coastal areas and islands such as Mallorca and the Canary Islands, mass tourism has damaged local ecosystems and increased pressure on water and energy resources. In the Canary Islands, large-scale discharges of untreated sewage directly into the Atlantic Ocean have led to serious pollution of beaches and coastal waters. In my view, these effects can be long-lasting and, in some cases, irreversible. Do you agree?
B: That’s a very good point. Environmental pollution is definitely a major concern. However, I would argue that the high cost of living is also a key factor, especially in Spain. In Barcelona, for instance, many apartments have been turned into short-term rentals, which has driven up housing prices. In fact, some districts have even seen a significant decrease in the number of permanent residents. As a result, local people can no longer afford to live in the city centre and are forced to move away.
A: I see your point. The housing crisis is indeed a serious problem. In some tourist regions, like the Balearic Islands, the situation has become so extreme that people struggle to find affordable accommodation at all. However, I would say this factor is slightly less visible than overcrowding. While it has a strong economic impact, overcrowding is something people experience directly every day.
B: That’s true. Overcrowding is the most immediate and noticeable issue.
A: So, to sum up, we could say that overcrowding is the most decisive factor because it has a direct and visible impact on daily life, while the high cost of living might be the least decisive, even though it remains a serious long-term problem.
B: I agree. Environmental pollution would then be somewhere in between, as it has long-term consequences but is not always as immediately noticeable as overcrowding.
A: Exactly. I think that’s a well-balanced conclusion.
Photo: Activists marching under the slogan ‘Málaga for living, not surviving’ © Sindicato de Inquilinas e Inquilinos de Málaga