THE ROLE OF TOURISM IN ECONOMY
Ex. 1. Read the text.
The Incredible Journey of Travel: From Ancient Coins to Space Tourism
Travel and tourism, as we know them today, have a long and fascinating history. Recent archaeological finds, such as ancient coins and jewelry in Sri Lanka, prove the island was a popular destination even in prehistoric times. Early travel was often linked to trade and conquest. Powerful empires, like those of Rome and Greece, built roads and introduced a common currency, which made moving from place to place much easier. The Greek empire also built facilities like theaters and places to eat and drink, making travel a more enjoyable experience.
The desire to travel grew during the Middle Ages, especially for religious reasons. Later, the Industrial Revolution was a major turning point. New inventions, like steam-powered trains and ships, meant people could travel faster and cheaper than ever before. A man named Thomas Cook organized the first package tour in 1841, marking the birth of the modern travel agency.
In the 20th century, the invention of the airplane truly changed everything, shrinking the world and making far-off places accessible. After World War II, mass tourism boomed. People had more free time and money, and they wanted to explore.
Today, tourism is a vital part of the global economy. It has evolved from a luxury for the wealthy into a common part of life for many. Modern technology, from smartphone apps for booking hotels to virtual reality tours, continues to shape how we travel. Looking to the future, we can see incredible developments on the horizon, such as space tourism, while the industry also works to become more sustainable and responsible in the face of global challenges.
Ex. 2. Read the statements below and write True or False based on the information in the text.
- Archaeological evidence shows that Sri Lanka was a travel destination in prehistoric times.
- The Greek empire built roads but did not introduce a common currency.
- The Industrial Revolution made travel slower and more expensive.
- Thomas Cook is known for organizing the first package tour.
- After World War II, tourism decreased because people had less money.
Ex. 3. Match the words with their definitions.
Word
Definition
1.
artifacts
a.
a time of great change when machines were invented
2.
empire
b.
a first important event or point in development
3.
conquest
c.
objects made by people in the past, like tools or jewelry
4.
Industrial Revolution
d.
a group of countries ruled by one powerful country
5.
turning point
e.
the act of taking control of a place by force
Ex. 4. Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
- According to the text, what did the Roman and Greek empires build that made travel easier?
- What type of travel became more popular during the Middle Ages?
- Who was Thomas Cook, and what did he do in 1841?
- Why was the invention of the airplane a key moment for tourism?
- Name one future development in tourism mentioned in the final paragraph.
Ex. 5. Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box.
common destination luxury package tour shrunk
- Ancient coins show that Sri Lanka was a popular travel _______________ long ago.
- The Roman Empire introduced a _______________ currency to make trade easier.
- The Industrial Revolution was a major _______________ point in the history of travel.
- Thomas Cook is famous for creating the first _______________.
- The airplane effectively _______________ the world, making far-off places accessible.
Ex. 6. Choose the correct verb form (Past Simple vs. Present Perfect) to complete the sentence.
- Ancient coins (proved / have proved) that Sri Lanka was a travel destination.
- In the 20th century, the airplane (changed / has changed) everything.
- Tourism (became / has become) a vital part of the global economy today.
- Thomas Cook (organized / has organized) the first tour in 1841.
- People (traveled / have traveled) for religious reasons for centuries.
Exercise 7. Find a word or phrase in the text that is similar in meaning to the one provided.
- very old / ancient times: ____________________ (paragraph 1)
- well-liked / popular: ____________________ (paragraph 1)
- a big change / turning point: ____________________ (paragraph 2)
- cheap / cheaper: ____________________ (paragraph 2)
- very important / vital: ____________________ (paragraph 4)
Exercise 8. Summarizing. In no more than three sentences, summarize the main stages of the evolution of tourism mentioned in the text (from ancient times to the future).
Exercise 9. Answer these questions with your own opinion.
- Why do you think the invention of money was so important for the development of travel?
- How has technology (like smartphones and the internet) changed the way you plan or think about travel?
- Would you be interested in space tourism? Why or why not?
Exercise 10: Working with Definitions
Read the sentence from the text: "In the 20th century, the invention of the airplane truly changed everything, shrinking the world and making far-off places accessible."
What does the phrase "shrinking the world" mean?
a) Making the planet physically smaller.
b) Making it feel faster and easier to travel to distant places.
c) Reducing the number of places people want to visit.
Exercise 11. Write a short advertisement (40-60 words). Try to convince people to go to …. Include information about the destination, the price, and what makes the trip special.