Пособие по обучению практике устной и письменной речи (начальный этап) на английском языке Под ред. О. В. Серкиной
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Dialogue 1: Talking about Holiday PlansM: Hello, Bob!B: Hello, Mary! M: Hey, when are you going on holiday? B: Well, I think I'll go in March. You see, I've got two weeks in March ... and then another two weeks in September. M: Are you going to take Cindy with you? B: Sure. M: And where are you going to go? B: I’m hoping to go to Mexico in September. I’ve never been there and I keep hearing all these great things about it. A: Oh God, it’s sure to be fabulous. Especially if you go in September, you can get those charter flights. B: Yes, maybe. A: And it’s beautiful down there and not so hot at that time of year. Dialogue 2: At a Travel Agency A: Good morning. Can I help you? B: Yes, I’d like to book a coach tour, please. To Holland. A: In which month, please? B: June or July. A: I see. And for how long? B: Two weeks, if possible. A: Two weeks? Right. We have trips to Amsterdam on June 3rd, June 18th, July 5th and July 20th. B: Did you say June 5th? A: No, the 3rd. It’s July 5th. B: Oh, I see. Well, the one on June 3rd sounds all right. I’ll take that. A: June 3rd . Yes, we have a room. How many of you will there be? B: Just me. A: Right. Now if I could just have some details from you ... 3.18. a) Insert the questions into the dialogue according to the answers given. b) Practice the conversation with a partner paying attention to the phrases used for talking on the phone. Add more details to your dialogue. How long are they staying? Are there any seats available? When can the tickets come? When do they plan to leave? What are the options? Are there any British Airways flights about that time? Susan: Grand Tour Agency. Susan Sharp speaking. Hans: Hello, Susan. This is Hans Bradly. I need to send two our sales managers to Rome next week._____________? Susan: Ok, _______________________? Hans: Monday, October 14th. Susan: And if you want to book return flight I must ask you: ____________? Hans: Four days. They would like to come back on the 17th night. ________? Susan: Let me have a look. There is a flight at 8.50 p.m. with British Airlines. Hans: _______________? Susan: Fortunately, there are. I’ve just called it up onto the screen. Shall I reserve you two right now? Hans: Yes, please. And make it Business Class, OK? __________________? Susan: $440. Your name and address? Hans: Mr. Bradly, 30 Park Avenue, London. Susan: And your telephone number? Hans: (171) 897 67 487 Susan: Will you pay by credit card? Hans: Yes, by Master card. Number 324 76545 876. Valid until January, 2009. __________? Susan: In three or four days. Hans: Shall I call you then to check up? Susan: No need. I’ll send them to you as soon as they arrive. Hans: Thank you so much. Susan: You are most welcome. 3.19. Look at the pictures and discuss the questions below with a partner. Questions: 1. What kind of tourists might go to the places in the pictures, and what could they do there? What problems can they face? What might they enjoy most? 2. What holidays would you prefer? How would they be different from the holidays you usually have?     3.20. What country (countries) would you like to visit in you lifetime? Plan a round-the-world holiday and say which six countries you would like to visit and why. Before discussing your choice in class, do the short questionnaire below. 1) I am most likely to spend a Saturday night … 2) I enjoy spending time with … a) at a coffeehouse with friends; a) teenagers; b) at home with a book; b) college students; c) having people over for dinner. c) people of all ages. 3) Choose the most appealing menu … 4) My friends would describe me as: a) potato dumplings; a) social; b) stir-fried chicken; b) bookish; c) lamb stew. c) adventuresome. 5) The thought of not having hot water for a week … a) scares me to death; b) means I’d have to boil it on the stove; c) hot water is for wimps. 6) I have always wanted to visit … a) a European Castle; b) The Great Wall; c) Red Square. Answer Key: Which letter did you check most often? a - you might prefer the hustle, bustle and high culture of Central Europe; b - you might enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of China; c - you might appreciate the joys and challenges of Russia, or the countries of the former Soviet Union. 3.21. Work with a partner and think what pieces of advice you would give to a stranger in the following situations in Russia? In a foreign country? (a) How to find Luggage Check-In. (b) How to find Cart Rental. (c) How to check in at the airport. (d) What kind of travel card to buy and why. (e) How to find First Class Carriage at a railway station. (f) How to ask a clerk about train departure. (g) How to find a cafeteria. (h) What to do and where to go after landing. 3.22. Choose the best means of transport for the following people. Discuss your choice in class. - for a business man; - for a retired well-to-do couple; - for students traveling across Europe; - for traveling from New York to Siberia; - for traveling from China to Australia. 3.23. Read the dialogues with a partner and make up a dialogue on any situation at the airport. 1. Passenger: How much weight is allowed to take on board the plane? Check-in clerk: As you are flying economy class, sir, the weight of your baggage must not exceed forty-five pounds. You will be charged for any excess weight you have. Passenger: Oh, I don’t think my things will weigh that much. See, it’s only forty-one pound. Could I have my handbag with me? Check-in clerk: Certainly. We shall attach a tag “carry-on baggage” to it. But the suitcase will have to go to the overhead baggage compartment. And now please would you step over to the departure lounge. You will hear your flight and destination announced. 2. Flight attendant: May I have your seat number? It is in your boarding pass. Passenger: Here you are. Flight attendant: Thus way, please. Your seat is over there – third row on the right, next to the porthole. You may put your hat and raincoat on the rack. (to all the passengers a bit later) Ladies and gentlemen, please put your seats in the upright position and fasten your seatbelts. Passenger: At what altitude are we going to fly? Flight attendant: The altitude will be about 25,000 feet. Passenger: Thanks. Flight attendant: (some time later) How is the flight? Quite comfortable? Passenger: Yes, thank you. When do we get to London? Flight attendant: We should touch down shortly after three, very soon now. (before landing): Ladies and gentlemen. In 10 minutes we shall be landing at Heathrow. Please remain seated with safety belts fastened and with the seats in the upright position until the plane has come to a compete halt. Thank you. 3.24. a) Match the six announcements made over the public address system of an airport to a type of a message. b) Make up similar announcements of different types. Types of messages: - staff announcement - warning - advertisement - flight cancellation - delayed flight departure - delayed night arrival - security announcement - final flight call Announcement 1 Passengers are reminded that smoking is not permitted in any part of the terminal building. Announcement 2 Will passenger Eckber from Miami please go to Airport Information where your tour leader is waiting. Passenger Eckber to Airport Information. Announcement 3 This is a staff call. Will Roger Broom, please, go to the Baggage Hall immediately. Roger Broom to the Baggage Hall. Announcement 4 This is the final call flight IB763 to Madrid. Will any remaining passengers, please, proceed immediately to Gate number 14 where the aircraft is about to depart. Announcement 5 British Airways regret to announce the delay of flight BA008 to New York. Passengers should report with their boarding cards to the BA desk where vouchers for refreshments will be given. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience. Announcement 6 This is a security announcement. Passengers are reminded not to leave baggage unattended at any time. Any unattended baggage will be removed and may be destroyed. 3.25. a) Read the text and explain how the system of domestic and international flights is organized in the US? What makes it effective?  Domestic flights in the USA are organized on the principle of hubs and spokes, like a bicycle wheel which has a hub at the centre and lots of spokes radiating out from it in all directions. One such a hub is Houston in Texas: flights to over 100 other airports radiate out in different directions from there and half of these are non-stop flights. For example, if you want to get from Miami to Los Angeles, you can catch a Continental Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, change planes at Houston and fly on to Orange County. The hub and spokes network has made flights cheaper and means that even quite small places are connected to each other by a major airline or feeder service. Another advantage of the system is that connecting flights are to some extent guaranteed. If one incoming flight is up to one hour late, all the connecting flights (up to 30 or 40) will be held until it arrives so if you are on a delayed flight, that’s good news - but it’s bad news for everyone else because they all have to wait for your plane to land. From the point of view of overseas connections, many hubs also operate as entry points or “gateways”, where passengers flying in from another country can join the hub and spoke system. The same type of system does operate in other parts of the world: for example, you can fly from one part of Europe to another via Frankfurt or Paris, or Amsterdam, or London, but the difference in other parts of the world is that the fares are not any cheaper so there’s no special advantage. b) What do you think about the problem of national security on airplanes and other kinds of transport? Have you heard about “air marshals” on US planes? What steps do the USA and other countries take to prevent hi-jacking and terror acts? Should there be a global spying system introduced? Is it possible to set up the fine border between providing security and invasion of privacy? 3.26. a) Study the information about the customs allowance. b) Work with a partner and discuss the suggested situations. a) The Customs’ Allowance For travellers arriving from outside the EU 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco 2 litres of still table wine 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume, or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine, or other liqueurs 60 cc/ml of perfume 250 cc/ml of toilet water $136 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs For travellers arriving from inside the EU 300 cigarettes, or 150 cigarillos, or 75 cigars, or 400g of tobacco 3 litres of still table wine 1.5 litres of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume, or 3 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine, or other liqueurs 75 cc/ml of perfume 375 cc/ml of toilet water People Under 17 Cannot Have the Tobacco of Alcohol Allowance Prohibited and restricted goods from outside the EU Certain goods are prohibited or restricted to protect health and the environment. We cannot list all the goods involved but we have listed some of them below. Prohibited goods (that is, goods which are banned completely): Unlicensed drugs, such as heroin, morphine, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, barbiturates, and LSD. Offensive weapons, such as flick-knives, sword-sticks, knuckledusters, and some martial arts equipment. Obscene material, and indecent and obscene material featuring children, such as books, magazines, films, videotapes, laser discs, and computer software. Counterfeit and copied goods such as watches, clothes, and CDs, also any goods with false marks of their origin. Restricted goods (that is, goods which you cannot import without authority gives a license): Firearms, explosives, and ammunition, including electric shock devices (such as stun guns) and gas canisters. Dogs, cats, and other animals, including rabbits, mice, and rats. You must not bring these in unless you have a British health import (rabies) license. Live birds, including family pets, unless they are covered by a British health import license. Endangered species, including birds and plants, whether alive or dead, also such things as fur, ivory, or leather (or goods made from them) that have been taken from endangered species. Meat, poultry, and most of their products including bacon, ham, sausages, eggs, milk, unless they are cooked and in airtight containers. Certain plants and their produce. These include trees, shrubs, potatoes, certain fruit, bulbs, and seeds. Radio transmitters such as CB radios that are not approved for use in the UK. b) The situations: 1. You are arriving in the UK from Copenhagen (Denmark). You have 75 cigars which you bought at a shop in the city. Will you have to pay duty? 2. You are flying from Milan (Italy) to Birmingham (UK). You want to buy some perfume without paying duty. How much perfume can you buy at the duty-free shop at Milan airport? 3. You are arriving in the UK from Montevideo (Uruguay), where you live. How many duty-free cigarettes can you bring in? 4. You are going to fly from Marseilles (France) to London (UK). You want to buy some Sauterne (white wine) at a shop in Marseilles before you go to the airport. How much wine can you take with you to London duty-free? 5. You are going to London for three weeks. Will you have to pay duty on your camera? 6. You and your family (2 adults and two teenagers of 16 and 18) are going to travel from Moscow (Russia) to Liverpool (UK) to visit friends. How much in the tobacco line, perfume line and spirits are you all allowed to bring in? 7. Which of the two channels – red or green - would you go through at customs, if you travel from Madrid (Spain) to London (UK) and have ten packs of cigarettes, three bottles of champagne and 70 g of perfume?
b) Plan a similar railway trip to any part of your country or an area you know well. Decide on the route, the sights and scenery you might see on your way, the facilities on the train, meals and accommodation, different classes of passengers, discounts. Alex: Come along, we are only just in time for the train. Berney: Oh, no! We’re all right: it doesn’t pull out for another twenty minutes yet. Alex: I thought it would leave at 12.30. Berney: No, not till 12.50. Alex: Oh, that’s all right! Have you got the tickets? Berney: No, let’s go along to the booking-office. I want a few magazines and newspapers, so we’ll call at the bookstall on the way. Alex: Yes, and I’ve left my bag in the cloakroom: I’ll just slip along there and reclaim it while you get the tickets and newspapers. Berney: I’ll meet you outside the left-luggage office in ten minutes’ time. (ten minutes later) Alex: I’m glad we are traveling together. Have we got reserved seats? Berney: No, the train isn’t very crowded and we’ll get seats quite easily, I guess. Here’s a porter; he can put our bags in the guard’s van and help us find us the seats. Porter! Porter: Yes, sir. Do you want these bags to go into the luggage van of the 12.50? Are the bags labelled, sir? Berney: Yes, there’s a tie-on label on mine and a stick-on label on my friend’s. Get us two corner seats in a first-class smoker. Porter: Very good, sir. Better come along at once; the train is filling up quickly. Platform 14. Berney: Ah! Here we are. How do you like to sit, facing the engine or with your back to it? Alex: I don’t mind either way, but if it’s all the same to you I’d prefer to sit the way the train is going. Berney: That will suit me perfectly. I’m rather fussy about not sitting in a draught, so I prefer to sit with my back to the engine. Alex: Well, here we are, ready for the journey. Berney: Put this small bag on the rack above your head, will you? I’ll just go along the corridor and see where the dining-car is and book for the first service; I’m hungry. Alex: Right, we shan’t be long now, the signals are down and the guard is blowing the whistle. He’s waving his flag. We’re off, now. 3.28. a) Read the extract from an advertisement of the railroad service. Study the possible types of accommodation on the train. b) Work with a partner and discuss which is the most comfortable, the cheapest, the most luxurious. Which would you prefer? Which can you afford to book now? Compare this accommodation with the train accommodation in Russia. VIA Rail has refurbished some of its classic trains in all the rich fabrics, subtle colours, and polished wood of the art-deco era. Your choice of route and cabin accommodation is outlined below. Roomette: ideal for one person, the little cabin has a comfy seat and turns into snug sleeping quarters at night (private facilities on western routes). Section: semi-private with wide couch-style seats facing each other; these convert to bunk beds, with heavy curtains for privacy at night. Bedroom: ideal for two adults, by day a private living room with two armchairs and a picture window, by night this converts to lower and upper berths. The cabins have a sink and WC. Coach class: there is plenty of space to move around, comfortable reclining seats, and chair-side drinks and snacks service. On longer routes, Coach service seats are enhanced by foot rests and there’s cafe and glass-domed observation car. VIA Rail offers first class service and adds to the coach car comfort with exclusive lounges at Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, pre-boarding privileges, distinctive decor, a cellular phone on board, delicious meals served at your seat, complimentary drinks, and a choice of wine and liquers with your meal. 3.29. Work with a partner and discuss what you would do in the following situations. a) you were left behind at the station? b) you missed your train? c) you had to share your compartment with a party of very noisy children? d) you suddenly missed your ticket when the train began to pull out? e) you could not get a taxi to take you to the station and you had an enormous amount of luggage? f) you suddenly discovered that the bag containing your travelling things was gone? g) you found your berth occupied by another passenger? 3.30. a) Study the information about tickets for a sea voyage offered by some western company. b) Compare the situation with that in Russia. Do Russian people travel by sea much? Why? - Tickets are available from ticket agents at port or on the boats (in high season it is sometimes not possible to buy tickets on board). Ticket prices are regulated by the government. - Three classes of tickets are on sale: first (luxury), second, and third (deck). Most people travel deck class. If you buy on board, you will probably get a tourist class ticket (deck plus 20% surcharge). Ocean-view cabins are more expensive than inside cabins. - A return ticket usually means a 10% discount. - Half-fare for children aged 4 to 10. - Cash payments only. - Tickets are normally non-transferable.
b) Do some research on development of hotels in Russia and make a short presentation in class. Travel and hotels have always been closely related. In Europe and America, inns and taverns were spaced along the roads at the distance a horse could travel in a day. The inns were primitive by modern standards. The traveler usually had to share his bed with at least one other person, and as many as four other persons in some remote areas. The old-fashioned inns, however, did provide food and shelter for both men and horses and therefore became a symbol of hospitality. Modern mass transportation, that is, the movement of large numbers of people at relatively low prices, began with the development of the railroads in the 19th century. Up to that time, accommodations had been provided by country inns or by family-owned and operated hotels in the cities. Other means of transportation – the automobile and the airline – resulted in the growth of corresponding accommodation facilities. Motels have sprung along highways all over the world. The word “motel” was created by combining ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’. When automobiles were first used, flimsy and inexpensive tourist cabins were built beside the highways. As people demanded better comfort, the cabins were replaced by tourist courts and then by modern hotels. Now the choice of accommodation available is vast. It includes hotels, inns, “bed and breakfasts”, farmhouses and self-catering establishments – the list goes on. An increasing number of hotels have leisure facilities for the guests – swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses and sauna, for example. 3.32. Read the extract from a hotel leaflet. Ask 3-5 questions about the procedures of checking-in and checking-out. Work in a small group and compare the procedures with those in Russian hotels. Hints for Hotel Guests 1. The first thing to do is to book a room in advance either by letter, telephone or fax. Otherwise you may arrive at the hotel and be told that there are no rooms. 2. On arrival at the hotel, go to the reception desk in the lobby and confirm your reservation. The clerk will then give you a registration form to fill in and sign. The form is to be filled in block letters. In smaller hotels you simply sign the visitor’s book and give your permanent address. 3. At large hotels you may ask for any service by phone. Tell the operator if you wish to be called at a certain time. Call Room Service when you want a meal or drinks sent up to your room. Call Valet or Maid Service if you need your suit or dress cleaned or pressed. 4. Let the hotel manager know well in advance the day and time of your departure. Vacate your room before noon. 12 o’clock is the international check-out time. If for some reason you stayed longer, you would have to pay for another night. 3.33. Read the following dialogues with a partner. Make up similar dialogues. Act them out. Dialogue 1: Booking a Hotel Room over the Phone A: Good morning. The Grand Hotel. B: Good morning. I’d like to reserve a single room for three nights starting with the fourth of August. Do you have any vacancies? A: I’m afraid our single rooms are fully booked. Would you take a double room? B: What are your rates for a double room? A: Our rate for a double room is $ 76 plus VAT (= value added tax). B: OK, then. I’ll take a double room. A: In whose name shall I book it, please? B: In Holm’s name. A: Could you spell it for me, please? B: H-O-L-M. A: How will you be paying? B: By credit card. The number is 2073 0905 0732 8914. A: Expiration date? B: July next year. A: Thank you, sir. You are welcome to the Grand Hotel. Dialogue 2: In a Hotel A: Good evening. I have a reservation for 6 p.m. My name is Thomas Holm. B: Would you spell the last name, please? A: Yes. H-O-L-M. B: Yes. I have your reservation right here. One double from today for three days. Would you please fill in this registration form? A: Certainly. B: Here’s your key. It’s room 1280 on the twelfth floor. The lifts are round the comer over there. A: Thank you. What time’s the breakfast, by the way? B: It's between 7 and 10:30 in the dining-room or you could have it sent up. A: Oh, that’s nice. I think I’ll have it up in my room then. I’ll give Room Service a ring about it later. One more thing, could you give me a wake-up call at 6 tomorrow morning? B: Very good, sir. Have a nice day!
3.35. a) Read the text below and define the style of each. Prove your decision. 1) Our Cancellation If, for any reason beyond our control (hereinafter referred to as force majeure [,fors ma'3ә]) it becomes necessary to materially alter or cancel your holiday, we shall offer you the choice of either alternative arrangements of equal standard (if available) or a full refund of money paid. We undertake not to cancel your holiday within 8 weeks of departure except for reasons of force majeure or for non-payment of your holiday balance. We shall offer a compensation: more than 56 days before departure – nil; 56-15 days before departure - £10; less than 15 days before departure - £20. 2) Just a Coincidence? Have you ever thought about changing your name? Maybe this will make you think again, especially if you are going on a sea voyage. On December 5th, 1664, a ship sailing off the coast of North Wales sank with 81 passengers on board. There was one survivor – a man named Hugh Williams. On the same date in 1785, another ship sank in the same area with 60 passengers on board. There was one survivor – a man named Hugh Williams. On the very same date, in 1860, a ship sank off the coast of Scotland. On this occasion there were only 25 passengers on board. And incredibly, there was once again one survivor – a man named Hugh Williams. b) Why is it so important to include “force majeure” in the contract? What circumstances are meant by “force majeure”? c) Are you superstitious? Share some of your superstitions, especially connected with travelling, with class. What superstitions are usual for the Russians? For other nationalities? 3.36. Role play the following situations with a partner. Then discuss your choice in class. There are two different possible sequences of situations given in chronological order. Follow the instructions and try to get out of scrapes. At the start you are on the plane to a foreign destination. You will be staying one night at the Continental Hotel. You have an important business meeting with a client, Mr. Jones, tomorrow morning at 9.00. Scenario 1. 1) You’ve left a piece of hand luggage in the departure lounge. 2) The person sitting next to you on the plane won’t stop talking. 3) The plane hits an air-pocket and the flight attendant pours wine over you. 4) You’ve landed. You need some local currency. Go to a currency exchange and get some of your money exchanged. 5) You take a shuttle bus to the city centre. You can’t find the hotel. Ask for directions. 6) Check in the hotel. 7) There are no drinks in the mini-bar and no towels. Phone Room Service. 8) You want to see the town at night. Ask the receptionist for any suggestions. 9) Next morning, ask for the bill. You’ve been charged for several extra phone calls you’ve never made. 10) You realize you didn’t change the time on your watch. It’s 9.30 a.m. local time. You are running late for the meeting. 11) You take a taxi. The driver overcharges you. 12) You arrive at the office at 10.15 a.m. Apologize for being late. Scenario 2. 1) There’s a delay in take-off. You start talking to the person in the seat next to you. 2) The food arrives. It’s not vegetarian as you requested. 3) You’ve landed. The immigration officer asks for your visa. You don’t have one. 4) You’re at the baggage reclaim. One of your bags has been severely damaged. 5) Take a taxi to your hotel. The taxi driver doesn’t seem to understand you. 6) At the hotel the receptionist has no record of your reservation. 7) You realize you’ve left your briefcase in the taxi. Ask the receptionist for help. 8) You have a bad headache and can‘t sleep because of the disco downstairs. 9) Upon arrival, you gave the hotel laundry your silk shirt to be washed and ironed. Now it is ruined. 10) At breakfast you want some more coffee and a newspaper. 11) You’ve lost the directions of how to get to the office. Phone your client’s secretary. 12) You arrive at the office at 8.49 a.m. Introduce yourself at the reception. 3.37. a) Work in a small group and discuss the questions below. Questions: 1) When did your last travel? Where did you go? Why did you choose to go there? Was it an all-inclusive holiday? 2) How did you spend that holiday? Relaxing on the beach? Getting to know the locals? Use these prompts: How long? What kind of holiday? Stay where? Like it? Why? Where exactly? Food? Go again? b) Read the article about ethical tourism. Would the writer have approved of your behavior? What to you think about this kind of tourism? Uneasy Virtue Going on holiday needn’t mean leaving ethics at home, says Rosie Burke. How clear is your conscience? You may eat organic carrots, recycle your newspapers, and contribute to charity. But now you're going on holiday so you don't need to think about all that. Do you? “No, it’s as important people apply ethical issues to their holidays as to the rest of their lives.” Lara Marsh, campaigns officer at Tourism Concern, doesn’t want to spoil your trip, but she does think people have an obligation to consider the impact they may be having on their destination. “Ethical tourism can mean all sorts of things - where you decide to go in the first place, who you travel with and how you behave when you get there. Tourism is the world’s largest industry. It can bring benefit, but it’s not spread evenly.” The World Tourism Organisation predicts that in the next ten years the number of tourists will reach one billion a year with a quarter of those travelling to the Third World. And while some of the developing nations are delighted at the influx of foreign currency, on the whole local people see little benefit from our spending. The World Bank estimates 90 per cent of income from tourism goes straight to the multinational operators, with local people seeing as little as 10 pence in every pound. “Building hotels and resorts can lead to short-term jobs, but they can also lead to the destruction of habitats and so of livelihoods. Precious water supplies are often diverted to the large hotels or swimming pools, fishing grounds are cordoned off for snorkeling and any villages in the way of development are simply pulled down,” explains Lara Marsh. “Tour operators are there to make money and there are some who have adopted the buzz words and use them for marketing rather than being genuinely concerned, while others who do good things may be keeping quiet about it,” says Mike Sykes, Managing Director of one operator. To try and help the ‘quiet’ ones, Tourism Concern has published a community tourism guide. This shows us how to have holidays in the developing world in ways that benefit poor communities. For example, you needn’t book through a large multinational company; you can book directly with a local operator. You need to be careful when deciding on your destination. Tourism Concern urges people to react with their feet to hostile regimes. “If a country has a record of human rights abuses you should simply stay away,” instructs Lara Marsh. But not everyone thinks that absence makes the country stronger. Hilary Bradt, who publishes Bradt guidebooks, believes boycotts are basically detrimental. “Staying away doesn’t do anyone any good while going can make a difference. By depriving an area of tourism it’s the locals who are suffering.” The Dalai Lama agrees. He argues that Tibet needs tourists to continue visiting his country so that they can see and report back on the conditions the local people have to cope with. Tourism Concern would like people on package holidays to widen their horizons and travel beyond the confines of their tourist compounds and luxury hotels. It has produced a film now shown on some flights to the Gambia that suggests some steps to ethical behaviour. Tourists are urged to travel further afield, visiting the villages, learning about the country’s culture and purchasing local products - as long as they are dressed decently. People in the Gambia have had their modesty offended by tourists’ style of dress. But by visiting markets, tourists can inject some money into the local economy by buying home-grown goods, something the large hotels tend not to do. “I knew of one hotel in the Gambia that imported all their tomatoes from the Canary Islands when they really needn’t have done as they had tomatoes growing yards away from their compound,” says Mike Sykes. Hilary Bradt also felt an ethical policy was betrayed on a recent trip cruising poverty stricken areas of Russia. All the food consumed during the cruise had been flown in from Holland. As an industry, tourism is almost impossible to regulate. “Tourism isn’t a single product, there are a whole range of services provided by a whole range of people,” explains Jackie Gibson who works for the Association of British Travel Agents. “It’s up to the airline, to the hotel, to the tour operator and to the local government to limit the damage. In Mauritius they have a local law that no hotel can be higher than the trees which is great, but then they have to justify to the local people why there aren’t as many tourists as there might be. It’s a question of balance, everything we do has an impact. Tourism can have a beneficial effect, it can also mean that we end up destroying what we’re going to see. Most people just think relaxing thoughts on holiday; maybe if they also think about the kind of life the locals are living there and what they can do to help, they’ll actually have a better time.” And you could supplement your suntan with a virtuous glow.
following issues.
generation. How has the tourism industry changed?
Like many other industries, the tourist industry changes from year to year. Firstly, this is because people want to see and do different things. (For example, more and more people today are becoming interested in eco-tourism.) Secondly, it is because the world changes; one part of the world can suddenly become more or less dangerous. For example, 2000 was a good year for tourism in Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia, because people stopped fighting in Kosovo. The economy can bring changes, too. When the Japanese yen is strong, Japanese people can travel more cheaply, but visiting Japan is more expensive for people from other countries. In 2000, 16 million tourists from Japan visited other countries, but only 4 million visitors from other countries went to Japan. What about tourism in the future? People have talked about holidays in space since the 1960s, and some people are already planning them. In 2001, a rich American man called Dennis Tito had the first holiday in space. For 20 million dollars he got a ride to the International Space Station. Some companies plan to sell holidays in space. They will take tourists about a hundred kilometers up into space and fly them around the earth. One of these companies, Bristol Spaceplanes Limited, is planning three kinds of spaceship. The largest of the three, the Spacebus, will carry tourists space for about 10,000 dollars per person. Perhaps there will soon be hotels in space, too. Hilton International are already planning a hotel on the moon; it will be 325 metres high, and they will build a beach for it. Now people are using computers when they look for a holiday. With virtual reality, you can ‘visit’ different holiday resorts before you decide on your holiday. And virtual reality is getting better all the time. Soon, the real world and virtual reality will look nearly the same. Then tourists will be able to go on holiday and stay at home at the same time! 3.39. a) Look through the following tips for American world travelers and range them according to their importance to you (1 - being the least important). Comment on your choice. Ten Tips for American World Travelers ___ Travel light ___ Beat jet lag ___ Safeguard your documents ___ Get the help you need ___ Trains, planes, and automobiles ___ Keep clean and stink free ___ Keep regular ___ On foot ___ Shop like a local ___ Look like a local Travel light! Avoid packing a lot of needless clothes, bring a lot of undershirts and just wash those! Also, if it’s a short trip, try to fit everything into a carry-on. You’ll avoid losing your bags and keep from breaking your back. If the airline says your bag’s too big to carry on, wear your bulkiest clothing and fill the pockets with your camera, books, and whatever else fits! Beat Jet Lag Adjust to the time zone of your destination before you get there. Trick your body into thinking it’s night when it really isn’t by sleeping on the plane using an eyeshade. Begin three days before the flight with the following regimen: high-protein breakfast and lunch, and high-carbo dinners. Refrain from caffeinated drinks until you arrive. THEN, have a big cup of coffee your first morning there. It’ll really get you going! Safeguard Your Documents Carry a photocopy of your passport, flight information, and other important documents. Never let the real thing out of your sight! Get the Help You Need! Even if you know a little of the language, speak English only and you’ll get what you need faster. But, if you’re going to learn one word in the host country’s language, learn "FIRE!" you’ll get help faster than if you learn "HELP!" Trains, Planes and Automobiles Don’t let go of your bags on the train. Wrap a strap around your arm or ankle so you can shut your eyes for a minute and relax. Little padlocks may look dinky, but they’ll actually keep wandering hands away. Always ask for freebies on the plane – you’ll never know what you’ll end up with. When taking a taxi, use only official metered taxis. Especially avoid Mercedes cars parked just outside the airport. Don’t try to bargain with the guy in dark glasses, you’ll just get ripped off. Keep Clean and Stink Free Dark clothes hide dirt while white clothes attract it! Bring a little bottle of Woolite and you’ll always have clean underwear! Guys, shave your armpits! The ancient Egyptians came up with this one to avoid body odor. (Use the clipper on your electric razor.) Keep Regular! Don’t ask what it is, just eat it. If you’re too regular, take some Imodium. Always carry Kleenex: toilet paper in public restrooms is often unheard of. Actually, public restrooms are practically unheard of in some areas. On Foot When crossing the street, walk with the herd. You’ll be more visible, avoid getting ticketed, and if a car does hit you, at least you’ll be cushioned. Also, always look like you know where you’re going - even if you don’t. By all means, don’t pull out a map in the middle of the street. Shop Like a Local Always carry a spare bag – you’ll never know when you see something you’ll want to buy. (Don’t count on the store ever giving you a bag!) Remember the “Tea Rule” - if you’re looking for tea, you’ll never see it. If you’re not looking, it will be everywhere - and cheap! Look Like a Local Don't be an ugly American eyesore: leave your Jansport backpack, white Nikes, glasses (if you can wear contacts), bright red or blue North-face parka, and baseball caps at home. If you really want to blend in, dangle a cigarette from your lips. b) Make a presentation on your recommendations for travelers, follow the rules of presentations. Compose it according to the following plan. 1) General information. 2) Planning the travel. 3) Choosing a means of transport. 4) Booking tickets and a hotel. 5) Checking in. 6) At the Customs’. 7) On Board. 8) In a Hotel (reservation, checking-in, possible problems, checking-out). 9) Using taxi. 10) Home, sweet home. 3.40. Read the following citations about traveling. Comment on each. Which one do you like best? Why? Share your opinion with class. Citations about travelling: 1. Travel, in the younger soul, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience. (Francis Bacon) 2. There are two classes of travel: first class and with children. (Robert Benchley) 3. [Vacation is] what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking. (Earl Wilson) 4. Too often … instead of broadening the mind, [it] merely lengthens the conversation. (Elizabeth Drew) 5. [Travelling is] an experience we shall always remember, or an experience which, alas, we shall never forget. (Julius Gordon) 6. [Vacation is] the time when you need half the clothes and twice the money you took. (Anonymous) 7. [Travelling is] something you enjoy three weeks after unpacking. (Anonymous) WRITING 3.41. Fill in the following sample of an entrance visa application form. Remember that no lines or questions are to be left unattended. If the questions does not apply to you, write n/a – non-applicable. |