Global Tourism Recovering from Pandemic
LIFESTYLE
2/3/2026
WARM-UP
Answer briefly. No overthinking.
Do you like traveling?
Have you traveled abroad before?
Do you prefer busy or quiet destinations?
VOCABULARY
ESSENTIAL (A1–B1)
arrival – the act of coming to a place
Example: Our arrival was late.
reach – to get to a level or number
Example: Temperatures can reach 40 degrees.
destination – the place you go to
Example: Paris is a popular destination.
cope – to deal with something difficult
Example: She can’t cope with stress.
overcrowding – too many people in one place
Example: The city has problems with overcrowding.
plateau – to stop growing and stay the same
Example: Sales began to plateau.
DEVELOPED (B2–C2)
tourist arrivals – number of visitors coming
Example: Tourist arrivals increased last year.
pre-pandemic levels – numbers before COVID-19
Example: Travel is near pre-pandemic levels.
visitor surge – a sudden increase in visitors
Example: The island saw a visitor surge.
travel demand – desire to travel
Example: Travel demand is rising again.
sustainable tourism – tourism that protects places
Example: Cities want sustainable tourism.
READING
INTRODUCTION
This article explains how global tourism is recovering after the pandemic and which countries are seeing more visitors.
ARTICLE (ALL LEVELS)
People around the world are traveling more again after the pandemic.
In 2025, global tourist arrivals increased by 4%. The total number of visitors reached over 1.5 billion.
Many countries welcomed more tourists, including Brazil, Iceland, Egypt, Japan, and South Korea.
DEVELOPED ARTICLE (B1–C2)
Some countries saw very large increases, such as Brazil and Bhutan. Europe also experienced strong growth, helped by new attractions like the Grand Egyptian Museum.
However, some places are struggling to cope with overcrowding. Others have seen numbers plateau because of extreme weather or political issues.
The UN believes travel will remain strong, but future events could still affect tourism.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
A1–A2
Are more people traveling now?
Did tourist numbers increase in 2025?
Do some places have overcrowding?
B1–B2
Which countries saw big increases?
Why are some destinations overcrowded?
What caused numbers to plateau in some places?
C1–C2
Why is global tourism recovering quickly?
What challenges come with mass tourism?
How can countries manage tourism growth?
SPEAKING
A1–A2 — FOUNDATION
Language Support:
“I like ___.”
“I want to ___.”
“I prefer ___.”
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Do you like traveling?
What country do you want to visit?
Have you traveled abroad?
Do you prefer cities or nature?
Do you like flying?
What is your favorite destination?
Do you travel every year?
Do you plan trips in advance?
Do you travel with family?
Do you like crowded places?
What food do you like when traveling?
Do you take many photos?
Do you buy souvenirs?
Do you prefer hotels or apartments?
Where did you last travel?
B1–B2 — EXPANSION
Language Support:
“In my opinion…”
“I think that…”
“One reason is…”
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Why do people travel more now?
How has travel changed since COVID?
What makes a destination popular?
Is overcrowding a big problem?
Should cities limit tourists?
Do you research before traveling?
What problems do tourists cause?
How does tourism help economies?
Do tourists change local culture?
Are cheap flights good or bad?
Would you live in a tourist city?
Do you avoid busy seasons?
How do you choose destinations?
Should tourism be controlled?
Do you prefer short or long trips?
C1–C2 — DEPTH & REFLECTION
Language Support:
“This reflects…”
“One implication is…”
“From a global perspective…”
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
What does tourism recovery show about human behavior?
Should there be global limits on tourism?
How can countries balance profit and protection?
Is mass tourism sustainable?
Should tourists pay extra taxes?
How will climate change affect tourism?
Are hidden destinations better than famous ones?
How can technology manage crowds?
Should local people control tourism?
Does tourism increase inequality?
Can tourism destroy culture?
How should governments plan for growth?
Are travel trends predictable?
Should some places be closed to tourists?
What should responsible travel mean?
