sightseeing

Sightseeing

90 ESL discussion questions about tourism and visiting attractions, covering travel plans, historical monuments, taking photos, managing crowds, and finding hidden local gems.
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A1 Level – Elementary

1. Do you like to travel?

2. What is a big monument?

3. Do you like taking photos?

4. What is a famous place?

5. Do you think historical places are important?

6. What is a long walk?

7. Do you worry about getting lost?

8. What is a crowded place?

9. Do you think a guide helps?

10. What is a good view?

11. Do you like museums?

12. What is a simple map?

13. Do you like fast tours?

14. What are three famous landmarks?

15. Do you think traveling is fun?

A2 Level – Pre-Intermediate

1. What is the difference between a tourist and a traveler?

2. Why are popular places often crowded?

3. What are the good things and bad things about guided tours?

4. How can a person politely ask someone to take a photo?

5. Should all tourists learn a few local phrases?

6. Why is it important to respect local customs at monuments?

7. Do you think technology makes finding places easier?

8. What is the purpose of taking many photos?

9. How does mass tourism affect local life?

10. What is the difference between an iconic spot and a hidden gem?

11. Do you think people visit places just to post online?

12. What are the problems when people litter at historical sites?

13. When is the best time to visit a famous place?

14. What are two things that stop a person from enjoying sightseeing?

15. How does a lack of planning affect the travel budget?

B1 Level – Intermediate

1. What are the simple ways to politely ask a local for directions?

2. How does the cost of admission affect visiting historical places?

3. Should the government provide resources to maintain old monuments?

4. What is the difference between authentic experience and tourist trap?

5. Do you believe that travel is the best form of education?

6. What are the challenges of navigating a city without speaking the language?

7. How does focusing on photos affect the appreciation of the moment?

8. What is the idea of “overtourism”?

9. Is it fair when a person is judged for only visiting famous spots?

10. How does a lack of historical context affect the understanding of a place?

11. What are the basic steps for planning a simple day trip?

12. What is the value of finding unique, non-touristy activities?

13. Should the news talk more about responsible tourism?

14. What are the simple reasons why some people avoid all sightseeing?

15. How does the history of exploration affect modern travel goals?

B2 Level – Upper-Intermediate

1. What are the simple social problems caused by mass crowds at attractions?

2. What are the ethical issues when companies exploit local culture for profit?

3. How does constant social media showing of perfect photos affect reality?

4. Should tour companies be legally required to disclose ethical practices?

5. How does the feeling of wonder affect a person’s willingness to explore?

6. Who is responsible for educating tourists on respectful behavior?

7. What is your simple view on the practice of high-cost luxury tours?

8. What is the role of technology in giving virtual tours of protected sites?

9. How does the problem of cultural appropriation affect local people?

10. What are the clear problems with allowing people to hide their intent?

11. What are the legal differences between general sightseeing and trespassing?

12. Do you think the main purpose of sightseeing is to relax?

13. What steps can local communities take to manage tourist flow?

14. How does the lack of clear rules affect tourist behavior?

15. What are the simple psychological effects of standing in a historical place?

C1 Level – Advanced

1. Is it fair that access to major historical sites is often very expensive?

2. What is the moral duty of a tourist to minimize their environmental impact?

3. How do global transportation costs affect the accessibility of travel?

4. When should the government consider mandatory tourist taxes?

5. What are the simple ethical problems of companies profiting from a fragile environment?

6. How does focusing on consumption affect the need for authentic learning?

7. Discuss the effects of long-term high tourist traffic on historical monuments.

8. How should leaders use policy to promote sustainable travel models?

9. What is the idea of “cultural heritage”?

10. What are the long-term social effects when local residents cannot afford to live in their own city?

11. What are the clear difficulties when courts try to decide if a tourist caused damage?

12. How does the desire for convenience affect the need for responsible action?

13. Do you think the most important thing is the preservation of local culture?

14. What are the simple moral rules a person should follow when traveling to a poor area?

15. Should the government set a clear standard for ethical travel and tourism?

C2 Level – Proficiency

1. What is the true difference between manufactured experience and authentic discovery?

2. Should we eliminate the system that allows for massive overtourism?

3. How does the idea of memory change when all moments are digitally captured?

4. What laws are needed to prevent major corporate disregard for local communities?

5. How do historical views of exploration, conquest, and travel affect modern tourism?

6. How can a society ensure that empathy is shown to the local residents affected by tourism?

7. Do you think total self-regulation by tourists would fix all problems?

8. What simple rules should guide people when they encounter complex cultural situations?

9. How can we stop people from using personal choice as an excuse for harmful actions?

10. What did old thinkers say about curiosity, wisdom, and the journey?

11. What will happen to the need for human guides if AI manages all tours perfectly?

12. How do people use the idea of “must-see” to avoid discussing authentic travel?

13. How does the experience of a major travel incident change a person’s view of safety?

14. What is the power of a group to demand better public spaces for all?

15. If scientists could create a perfect, non-impactful travel experience, what would happen?

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