2.

TRAVELLING AND HOLIDAYS

I. Discuss the following issues with the class, giving reasons for your choice:
a. Name three top dream destinations worldwide.
b. Name three top destinations in Europe.
c. Decide which destination in our country you would choose for the following categories of people:
 a middle-aged couple with no children;
 a middle-aged couple with teenage children;
 a young couple with a baby;
 a group of young couples;
 a group of friends.

II. Read the following text and match each heading with the corresponding paragraph:

1. Tourism demand: variations across the EU

2. Nights spent: an overview
3. Fewer holiday trips in 2010 than in 2009
4. Slow recovery of the tourist accommodation sector in 2010
5. Tourism expenditure

Following two years of negative growth, the European tourist accommodation sector started to recover in the year 2010,
with nights spent at hotels and similar establishments increasing by 2.8 % compared with 2009. The increase at overall EU
level was reflected in the national figures, with increases in all but five of the Member States for which data were available.

a. …………………………….
In the two years of slowdown, resident guests became more crucial to the sector, but 2010 showed a stronger revival in the
number of nights spent by non-residents (+5.1 %) compared with residents (+1.1%).
Intra-annual data show that the recovery improved throughout the year. In the period January to April 2010, the number of
nights spent went up by 1.7 % compared with the same period in 2009, while growth rates of 2.6 % and 5.1 % were
recorded for the periods May-August and September-December respectively.
From the demand perspective – regardless of the type of accommodation - the number of holiday trips made by residents of
the EU did not slow down in 2008 and 2009, but a slight decrease (-1.0 %) was observed in 2010. This decrease was slightly
more pronounced for domestic trips (-1.1 %) than for outbound trips (-0.7 %).

b. ……………………………………
The accommodation sector was one of the hardest-hit tourism industries in the period 2008-2009. In 2009, the number of
nights spent in hotels and similar establishments dropped below the level of 2006. Recovering from this low point, the
number of nights spent in hotels and similar establishments grew by 2.8 % in 2010. Growth was observed in most EU
Member States for which data are available, with two-digit growth rates for Poland (+10.4 %), Malta (+11.0 %) and the
three Baltic Member States Lithuania (+11.1 %), Latvia (+11.6 %) and Estonia (+14.1 %). The negative trend of 2009
continued in 2010 in Romania (-8.7 %), Greece (-2.3 %), the United Kingdom (-2.1 %), Slovenia (-1.0 %) and Italy (-
0.8 %).
The figures for the other types of collective accommodation (including campsites and rented holiday homes) were less
favourable, with negative growth rates in most countries and a contraction at EU level of 2.4 %. This countered the positive
figures for the hotels and similar establishments and resulted, on aggregate, in an increase of 1.1 % for the entire tourist
accommodation sector (‘total collective accommodation’).
In the period 2008-2009, the segment of foreign guests was the one most affected by the economic crisis. In 2010, the nights
spent by non-residents were the biggest contributor to the overall growth figures. In all countries for which data are
available (excepting Liechtenstein), hotels and similar establishments recorded an increase in nonresidents’ nights, while
residents’ nights only increased in two-thirds of the countries. At country level, non-residents’ nights showed a larger
increase than residents’ nights in most of the countries. Only in Belgium, Latvia, Austria, Poland, Portugal and Finland did
the number of nights spent by residents grow faster than the nights spent by foreigners.

c. …………………………………………
Statistics on tourism demand include all trips made, regardless of whether they were spent in tourist accommodation (such
as hotels or campsites) or in less formal and often unpaid types of accommodation (such as owned dwellings or
accommodation provided for free by friends of relatives). Based on results for the first three quarters of the year for 20
Member States, the number of holiday trips made by residents of the EU decreased by 1.0 % . In 2008 and 2009 Europeans
continued going on holidays but a turning point was recorded in 2010 with a downturn for all types of holidays: domestic
holidays and outbound holidays, short holidays — except for short trips abroad — and long holidays.
The biggest contraction was recorded for domestic trips (-1.1 %), compared with the number of outbound trips (-0.7 %). As
for the duration of trips, long trips of 4 nights or more fell by 1.7 % compared to a drop of 0.3 % in short trips of maximum
three overnight stays. Long domestic holiday trips were the most seriously affected segment of tourism demand (-2.3 %),
while short outbound holiday trips grew by 0.6 % (following two years of relatively weak demand for this type of trip).
The number of nights spent dropped more significantly than the number of trips (-1.6 % and -1.0 % respectively). As a
result, the average length of holiday trips decreased. In 2010, the average duration of a holiday trip was just under 6 nights.
Short trips typically included 2 overnight stays while long trips (minimum 4 nights) had on average a duration of 10 nights.
Although long domestic trips were the most affected in terms of the number of trips, as indicated above, the average length
of such trips did not fall.

d. …………………………….
Behind the 1 % decline in the number of holidays taken by Europeans, major regional differences can be observed (see
Table 6 on the next page). In the south-eastern countries Bulgaria and Romania, numbers fell by 29.5 % and 11.1 %
respectively. In the Nordic countries Finland and Sweden the number of holiday trips increased by 17.4 % and 20.2 %
respectively. This increase was seen in all segments, but was less pronounced for long outbound holiday trips.
In many countries, the number of outbound trips increased in 2010, while the number of domestic trips decreased. However,
in Germany and Slovakia an inverse trend was observed with domestic trips remaining a net contributor to the overall
positive evolution in the number of holidays taken by the residents of these two Member States.

e. …………………………….
Data on tourism expenditure are available for 16 EU Member States. The countries are not identical to the subset discussed
above, so the observations may not be entirely compatible.
Based on the available data, a small increase of 0.5 % was recorded for tourism expenditure by EU residents. While the
number of domestic holiday trips declined in 2010, expenditure during this type of trip grew over the same period. This
resulted in an increase of 1.2 % in average spending per trip. On trips to destinations outside their own country, residents of
these 16 Member States spent less per trip (-0.9 %) in 2010 compared with 2009. In particular, long trips abroad fell by
0.8 %. Table 3 shows that this segment recorded the biggest drop in average length of the trip. Since the reduced total
expenditure was distributed over relatively fewer nights, the average expenditure per night away increased by 1.5 %. For the
other types of trips, the expenditure per night also increased in 2010. In most cases this will be due to fixed costs, such as
transport to the destination, which were divided over fewer nights.

III. Find words/ phrases in the text which mean:

1. a place of residence or business with its possessions and staff; (Introduction)
2. down trend, decrease; (a, b, d)
3. someone who does not live permanently in a particular country; (a)
4. an adjective referring to visitors travelling outside their own country; (a)
5. irrespective of; (a)
6. relating to or happening in one particular country and not involving any other countries; (a)
7. to move or act in opposition to; to oppose; (b)
8. taken into account as a whole; (b)
9. a house or apartment where people live; (c)
10. a decisive moment; (c)
11. in reversed order (adj.); (d)
12. the total amount of money that a government, organization, or person spends during a particular period of time; (e)

IV. You will hear a man talking about a trip to London that he has just returned from. Listen to the
tape and then answer the questions. You will hear the selection twice.

1. How long did he stay in London?

2. When did he leave?
3. When did he arrive?
4. How did he get to the hotel?
5. What did he get for free in the hotel?
6. When did he have dinner?
 7. What did he have for dinner?
8. What tour choices did he have on Saturday morning?
9. Which tour did he choose?
10. Where did he have lunch?
11. What did he do in the afternoon?
12. Where did he have dinner?
13. What kind of food did he have for dinner?
14. Where did he dance?
15. When did he get back to the hotel?
16. When did he leave London?

V. Look at these different types of traveller. How would you describe them?
a pilgrim a tourist a rambler a holiday-maker a commuter a hitchhiker a yachtsman

Now match these types of traveller to the following descriptions:

a. He sails round the world single-handed in a catamaran.

b. He goes sightseeing and takes lots of photos.
c. She finally arrives at the holy place and approaches the icon.
d. He thumbs a lift.
e. Every Sunday, he walks ten miles or so for pleasure across hills and moors.
f. This summer we’ve booked a lovely holiday hotel near the beach in the south of Spain.
g. She catches the eight o’clock train every weekday morning.

VI. Match the types of trips below to the texts that describe them:

1. go on a boat trip 4. go on an excursion 7. go on a voyage

2. go on a journey 5. go on a walk 8. go on a guided tour
3. go on an expedition 6. go on a business trip

1. We have been planning it for years. It’s one of the last remaining unexplored areas of rainforest in the world, and
who knows what we will find there. In the party, there will be scientists and ecologists as well as experienced
adventurers because we could discover new species of plants and animals.
2. Well, I’ve booked it. We have to be in front of the hotel at six o’clock in the morning, and, as soon as everybody
has taken their seat, we’ll set off for Warwick and Stratford. It’s motorway most of the way, but there should be
some nice views when we get near Warwick. We have two hours at the castle and all afternoon to visit
Shakespeare’s house. We have to be back on the coach for the drive home at six.
3. It was a lovely afternoon, so we put on our coats and boots and headed off for Hare Hill. We took the dog, too.
The path along the river is very narrow so we went in single file until we reached Newbridge village. And it’s a
really steep climb to the top of the hill. We were exhausted by the time we got home.
4. We went up on deck. The strong breeze immediately hit us in the face. I looked far out across the huge desert of
green-blue that lay before us, but I could see no land. It would be three more days before we reached the coast of
South America.
5. There were hundreds of people on the platform, and, carrying two suitcases, and a rucksack on his back, William
began to worry that he wouldn’t be able to find his seat. It would take two days travelling on this old train across
some of the most lonely and beautiful scenery in the world before he reached the little village in the foothills
where he was going to work.
6. I’ll be arriving at Linate Airport at 3, travelling club class. Could you arrange for a driver to be waiting for me? I
have to be at Head Office for the meeting at four thirty. I will only be carrying hand luggage – a briefcase and an
overnight bag – so I shouldn’t be delayed in customs.
7. It was the highlight of the holiday. We booked a trip along the River Umacinta between Mexico and Guatemala. It
was wonderful. We travelled for two hours past forested banks watching the alligators, visited a Mayan ruin, and
stopped for lunch in an old village.
8. On the left, you can see St Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. We’re going inside now. Could
you all stay together, please?’
VII. Which probably takes the longest?

a. a boat trip a channel crossing a voyage a cruise

b. a stroll a trek a hike a walk
c. an excursion an expedition a journey a trip
d. go as the crow flies take a short cut take the scenic route

VIII. Choose the correct answer:

1. We still have to book/ reservate a hotel and to buy our plane tickets.
2. I'm leaving tomorrow and I still haven't packed/stacked my suitcases.
3. I always get great deals on hotels because my friend is a trip/travel agent.
4. A "bed and breakfast/food” is a private home which takes in guests.
5. It is often very expensive to travel during the peak/expensive season.
6. Arranging “acclimations”/” accommodations” means arranging a place to stay (like a hotel, guest house, etc.)
7. Travel agents often ask you whether or not you would like to buy traveller’s insurance/policy.
8. A package/combined tour/holiday is one that includes air, hotel, and often food.
9. A connecting/connect flight requires a passenger to change from one plane to another.
10. If you lose something at an airport, you should check at the airport's lost-and- find/found office.
11. When you arrive in a new country, you often have to go through customs/custom at the airport.
12. A lay around/layover is the time you have to wait at an airport for your connecting flight.
13. Our tour guide/conductor was amazing! He knew so much about the city!
14. I wanted to buy train tickets, but the ticket office/bureau was closed.
15. Are you here on vacation? No. I'm here on affairs/business.
16. We plan to do some sightseeing/see-sights while we're in Chicago.
17. I left my bag in a locker/lock at the train station.
18. You have to check in/on at the airport three hours before your flight.
19. Are there any cheap places to eat around/close here?
20. Is breakfast included/inclusive in the price?

IX. Answer the questions:

1. Who are the travelling public?
2. What do you take if you travel light?
3. What’s a travelogue?
4. What does a travel agent do?
5. What do you mean if you say your car can really travel?
6. What do you mean if you say that a wine travels well?
7. What’s the difference between travel sickness and motion sickness?
8. What are you if you are well-travelled?
9. What’s the difference between traveling and travelling?
10. What is a travelator?

X. Supposing you are a guide, think of a favourite destination where you would like to take a group of
tourists on a journey. Describe it in about 150 words. Refer to location, facilities, services, people
accompanying etc. Some of the following words might prove useful:

cheap expensive breath-taking gorgeous safe dangerous

quiet comfortable crowded chilly hot lively