Examiner: Do you think it’s true that travel broadens the mind?

Candidate: I do, yes. I wouldn’t want to disparage people who haven’t travelled because that is almost invariably due-to a lack of opportunity. I doubt any of my great-grandparents’ generation ever travelled anywhere. But I can’t help but think that it does make you a more open-minded person, as you see different ways of living, eating, drinking, interacting with others, and it allows you to see your own culture more objectively. It also leads to you having a wider range of experiences and makes you more interesting to talk to.

Examiner: Do young people and older people benefit differently from travelling?

Candidate: I think younger people tend to enjoy adventure and having fun. And older people value relaxation more because they have so many responsibilities at home that what they want more than anything is to ‘switch off’ when they go away. Of course, that’s a generalisation and only takes you so far. I know it’s true of me, though.

Examiner: How can you make sure you get the most from your travels?

Candidate: I’ve always thought learning something of the language of the country you ‘re going to is the best possible way of benefitting fully from your holiday. That way, the local population aren’t so likely to see you as an outsider, but rather as someone who has made the effort of learning some words and expressions, and so has an interest in their culture.

Examiner: What are the positive impacts of tourism?

Candidate: They are manifold. Tourism brings investment and better infrastructure to poorer communities. This means that tourists find it easier to get around, but it also leads to an improved quality of life for the local people. It also brings about greater work opportunities for the local community. Previously, for example, they may just have had fishing or farming, but tourism opens up the possibility of higher earning jobs.

Examiner: What about the negative impacts of tourism?

Candidate: Well, I’ve seen areas where large numbers of visitors have had a detrimental effect on local habitats. For example, coral reefs in the Caribbean. It’s really tragic. The best solution, as far as the wildlife is concerned, would be to ban tourism for a few decades to let the reefs recover, but, of course, the local economy has come to rely on tourism and there would be an uproar if the government were to take that drastic step.

Examiner: How has tourism impacted tourist sites in your country?

Candidate: I think, because my country is not a big tourist destination yet, the small number of visitors we get have had only a positive effect. For example, small souvenir shops now have a larger clientele because of the visitors coming to see our temples.