©REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How do you think popular tourist destinations can affect the local communities and environments where they are located?
- In what ways do you think a surge in tourism could benefit a country’s economy?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- obscure /uhb-SKYOOR/
- nuisance /NOO-suhns/
- designated /DEH-zuhg-nay-tuhd/
- spike /spahyk/
- mitigate /MIT-i-geyt/
[verb] – to hide or conceal from view
The thick fog obscured the view of the mountains, making it difficult for hikers to see the trail ahead.
[noun] – something or someone that annoys you or causes trouble for you
Loud neighbors can be a significant nuisance in residential areas.
[adjective] – specifically chosen or set apart for a particular purpose
The company provided a designated parking spot for employees of the month.
[noun] – a sudden and significant increase or surge in something
The spike in COVID-19 cases prompted the government to implement stricter measures.
[verb] – to make something less severe, harmful, or painful
Authorities are taking steps to mitigate the impact of flooding in the area.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Mount Fuji, a key landmark in Japan standing at 3,776 meters, recently had its view obscured. Authorities in Fujikawaguchiko placed a 20-meter by 2.5-meter barrier blocking the view from a busy road, a popular spot for taking photos. This decision was made to tackle issues such as littering and illegal parking by tourists, which had become a significant nuisance and posed dangers to local traffic safety. Kikue Katsumata, a local resident, while welcoming tourists, highlighted the risks due to visitors not using designated crossing areas.
The recent increase in tourists, especially noticeable in March and April, brought substantial economic gains to Japan, with visitors spending a record amount in the first quarter of 2024. This spike in tourism, partly due to a favorable exchange rate after the yen’s depreciation, has sparked broader concerns. Many regions, experiencing the downsides of increased tourist numbers, are considering measures to mitigate these effects. For instance, cities like Osaka and resort towns like Hakone are contemplating imposing tourism taxes to better manage the influx. Cyril Malchand, a French tourist, made a specific journey to see the mountain before the view was blocked, sympathizing with the local residents’ concerns about the hazards posed by unchecked tourist activities.
The recent increase in tourists, especially noticeable in March and April, brought substantial economic gains to Japan, with visitors spending a record amount in the first quarter of 2024. This spike in tourism, partly due to a favorable exchange rate after the yen’s depreciation, has sparked broader concerns. Many regions, experiencing the downsides of increased tourist numbers, are considering measures to mitigate these effects. For instance, cities like Osaka and resort towns like Hakone are contemplating imposing tourism taxes to better manage the influx. Cyril Malchand, a French tourist, made a specific journey to see the mountain before the view was blocked, sympathizing with the local residents’ concerns about the hazards posed by unchecked tourist activities.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What was the primary reason for placing a barrier to block the view of Mount Fuji in Fujikawaguchiko?
- How did the local resident Kikue Katsumata feel about tourists in her town?
- What economic impact did the increase in tourists have on Japan in the first quarter of 2024?
- Why did Cyril Malchand, a French tourist, make a special trip to see Mount Fuji?
- What measures are cities like Osaka and Hakone considering to manage the influx of tourists?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a famous tourist destination that had a lot of people? If so, how did the crowd affect your experience there? If not, what do you think are some advantages and disadvantages of visiting crowded tourist spots compared to quieter ones?
- Have you noticed any negative impacts of tourism in your area or in places you’ve visited? If yes, what do you think could be done to address these issues and make tourism more sustainable? If not, what factors do you think contribute to minimizing negative impacts of tourism in certain locations?
- Do you agree with the decision to block the view of Mount Fuji to address tourist-related problems?
- How do you think cities like Osaka and resort towns like Hakone can strike a balance between reaping the economic benefits of tourism and ensuring the safety and well-being of their residents?
- What role do you think community engagement and planning should play in managing the impacts of tourism?