GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 129
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical attractions.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer: [Agreement]
Opinions are divided when it comes down to whether international holidaymakers should be charged more than the natives for their visits to cultural and historical places. In this case, I am completely inclined to the notion that visitors from overseas should pay more money as the admission fee for entry to the tourist attractions.
For a start, a powerful argument in favour of overseas holidaymakers shouldering a substantial share of admission revenue is that local inhabitants are already contributing to the maintenance and upkeep of their historic and cultural sites through taxes. In fact, visitors from foreign countries are not being swindled; they are paying the usual market rate while nationals receive a discount on account of being a taxpayer. A case in point is overseas university admission. If one gains admission to a foreign university, he or she is expected to be charged considerably more than his or her counterparts, as they or their parents pay taxes in that country.
Similarly, another stronger argument is that the costs of running and upkeeping historic and cultural attractions are huge, and the higher fees for international holidaymakers help to fund this; while allowing locals to enjoy the best of their own cultural and historic attractions at a rate that is not prohibitive. Besides, many countries employ this slanted entrance fees model. Take the Pyramids of Egypt for example. Foreign tourists pay 420 Egyptian pounds (US$ 23) for a ticket that allows the entrance to the chambers of the Great Pyramid, whereas Egyptians are able to enter for 20 Egyptian pounds.
All things considered, it seems reasonable enough to assume that the dual-pricing proves completely justified. As a taxpayer, citizens are permitted to enter their country’s historic and cultural sites at a price that should not be prohibited.