30 Best CEFR-level ESL Travel and Tourism Debate Topics

Looking for fresh, exciting ways to spark conversation in your ESL classroom? These Travel and Tourism Debate Topics are perfect for all CEFR levels, from beginners to advanced speakers. Each topic is designed to build travel vocabulary, critical thinking, and fluency while keeping students engaged with real-world conversations.

Debates make lessons dynamic. Students practice speaking, listening, and persuasion—all while exploring fun and relevant themes. Whether they’re arguing about budget airlines or sustainable travel, they’ll learn practical language in a meaningful context. Weaker students may be engaged through travel roleplays before joining the debate.

Struggling to find leveled content? No problem! This list includes 30 ready-to-use debate prompts, organized by difficulty. Each comes with vocabulary, discussion questions, and sentence frames to support learners to use common travel expressions at every stage. Save time on lesson prep and watch your students thrive.

From A1 learners debating “Beaches vs. Mountains” to C1 students tackling overtourism, these topics work for any class. Plus, they align with global issues, making lessons both educational and thought-provoking. Ready to transform your classroom into a lively debate stage? Let’s dive in!

Why Travel Debates Work in ESL Classes

Travel is something everyone can relate to. Even students who haven’t traveled much have opinions about vacations, transportation, and tourist spots. This makes travel debates perfect for ESL classes.

When students debate about tourism, they use practical English they’ll need in real life. They practice vocabulary for hotels, airports, and sightseeing. They learn to express preferences and give reasons.

Building Confidence Through Discussion

Many ESL students feel nervous about speaking. Travel topics help because:

• They’re less personal than debates about family or politics
• Students can imagine themselves in travel situations
• There are no “right answers” – just opinions

The provided debate topics start simple and get more complex. This helps students grow their skills step by step.

Connecting Language to Real Experiences

Some students may have:

• Taken memorable vacations
• Experienced culture shock
• Had problems while traveling

These real connections make the language practice more meaningful. Students aren’t just learning words – they’re learning to communicate real ideas.

How to Use This Resource

The 30 debate topics cover all levels. Each includes:

• Useful vocabulary
• Discussion questions
• Sentence starters

Teachers can use them for:

• Warm-up activities
• Full lesson plans
• Homework discussions

The topics progress naturally from basic preferences to complex global issues. This helps students develop their English skills while learning about the world.

Making Learning Fun and Engaging

Debates create energy in the classroom. When students argue about:

• Beach vs mountain vacations
• The pros and cons of Airbnb
• Space tourism

They forget they’re “practicing English” – they’re just having interesting conversations. This natural use of language helps fluency develop faster.

Ready to Get Started?

The following sections provide everything you need:

• Beginner topics with simple vocabulary
• Intermediate discussions about travel experiences
• Advanced debates on tourism ethics

Whether you teach kids, teens, or adults, these travel debate topics will make your lessons more dynamic and effective. Let’s explore them together!

A1-Level ESL Travel and Tourism Debate Topics

1. Traveling by car is better than traveling by bus.

Useful Vocabulary: car, bus, faster, comfortable, expensive

Question Prompts:

• Do you like traveling by car or bus?
• Which is faster, a car or a bus?
• Is a car more comfortable than a bus?
• Do you take the bus often?

Sentence Frames:

• I think cars are better because they are faster.
• Buses are cheaper than cars.
• Cars are more comfortable for long trips.
• Buses can be crowded.

2. Beaches are more fun than mountains.

Useful Vocabulary: beach, mountain, swim, hike, sunny

Question Prompts:

• Do you prefer beaches or mountains?
• What can you do at the beach?
• Is hiking in the mountains fun?
• Do you like swimming in the sea?

Sentence Frames:

• I like beaches because I can swim.
• Mountains are beautiful but cold.
• Beaches have sun and sand.
• Hiking is tiring but fun.

3. Hotels are better than hostels.

Useful Vocabulary: hotel, hostel, expensive, cheap, private

Question Prompts:

• Do you like staying in hotels or hostels?
• Which is cheaper, a hotel or a hostel?
• Are hostels good for families?
• Do hotels have better beds?

Sentence Frames:

• Hotels are more comfortable but expensive.
• Hostels are good for saving money.
• I like hotels because they are private.
• Hostels are noisy sometimes.

4. Summer is the best time to travel.

Useful Vocabulary: summer, winter, hot, cold, vacation

Question Prompts:

• Do you like traveling in summer or winter?
• Is summer too hot for traveling?
• What can you do in summer vacations?
• Do you prefer cold or warm weather?

Sentence Frames:

• Summer is great because the weather is nice.
• Winter is too cold for traveling.
• I like summer vacations by the beach.
• Some places are too hot in summer.

5. Taking photos is important when traveling.

Useful Vocabulary: photos, memories, camera, phone, remember

Question Prompts:

• Do you take many photos when you travel?
• Why are photos important?
• Do you use a camera or a phone for photos?
• Can photos help you remember trips?

Sentence Frames:

• Photos help me remember my trips.
• I take many photos with my phone.
• Some people take too many photos.
• Photos are good memories.

A2-Level ESL Travel and Tourism Debate Topics

6. Flying is better than taking a train for long trips.

Useful Vocabulary: airplane, train, fast, expensive, comfortable

Question Prompts:

• Which is faster, flying or taking a train?
• Is flying more expensive than trains?
• Do you like looking out the window on trains?
• Are airplanes safer than trains?

Sentence Frames:

• Flying is faster but more expensive.
• Trains are slower but cheaper.
• I like trains because I can see the scenery.
• Airplanes make me nervous sometimes.

7. Traveling alone is more fun than traveling with friends.

Useful Vocabulary: alone, friends, freedom, lonely, plan

Question Prompts:

• Do you like traveling alone or with friends?
• Is it easier to make plans alone?
• Do you feel lonely when traveling alone?
• Are group trips more fun?

Sentence Frames:

• Traveling alone gives me more freedom.
• Friends make trips more fun.
• It’s easier to decide alone.
• Sometimes I miss company when traveling alone.

8. Tourists should learn basic phrases in the local language.

Useful Vocabulary: language, phrases, polite, communicate, difficult

Question Prompts:

• Do you try to learn words in another language when traveling?
• Why is it important to say “hello” and “thank you”?
• Is it difficult to learn new languages?
• Do locals appreciate when tourists try to speak their language?

Sentence Frames:

• Learning basic phrases is polite.
• It helps to say “thank you” in the local language.
• Some languages are very hard.
• Locals are happier if you try to speak their language.

9. Souvenirs are a waste of money.

Useful Vocabulary: souvenirs, expensive, memories, useful, buy

Question Prompts:

• Do you buy souvenirs when you travel?
• Are souvenirs too expensive?
• What kind of souvenirs do you like?
• Do souvenirs help you remember trips?

Sentence Frames:

• Souvenirs are nice but expensive.
• I prefer taking photos instead of buying souvenirs.
• Some souvenirs are useless.
• I like buying small gifts for friends.

10. Traveling is the best way to learn about new cultures.

Useful Vocabulary: culture, food, traditions, people, experience

Question Prompts:

• How does traveling help you learn about cultures?
• Is trying new food important when traveling?
• Can you learn from local traditions?
• Do you make friends when traveling?

Sentence Frames:

• Traveling teaches me about different cultures.
• Food is an important part of culture.
• Meeting locals helps me understand traditions.
• Books can’t replace real travel experiences.

B1-Level ESL Travel and Tourism Debate Topics

11. Budget airlines make travel better for everyone.

Useful Vocabulary: budget airlines, affordable, crowded, service, convenience

Question Prompts:

• Do you think budget airlines are a good option for travelers?
• How do budget airlines make travel more accessible?
• What are the disadvantages of flying with budget airlines?
• Would you sacrifice comfort for a cheaper flight?

Sentence Frames:

• Budget airlines allow more people to travel affordably.
• The lack of free meals and legroom can be uncomfortable.
• For short trips, budget airlines are a practical choice.
• Some budget airlines have hidden fees that increase costs.

12. Social media has made travel less authentic.

Useful Vocabulary: social media, influencers, staged, real experiences, trends

Question Prompts:

• Do people travel just to take photos for social media?
• How has social media changed the way we travel?
• Are famous tourist spots ruined by too many visitors?
• Can you still have authentic experiences while posting online?

Sentence Frames:

• Social media encourages people to visit only “Instagrammable” places.
• Some travelers care more about photos than real experiences.
• Influencers promote places that become overcrowded.
• It’s possible to balance social media and genuine exploration.

13. Tourism does more harm than good to local cultures.

Useful Vocabulary: over-tourism, traditions, commercialization, respect, impact

Question Prompts:

• How does tourism affect traditional ways of life?
• Can tourism help preserve cultures, or does it destroy them?
• What are examples of places damaged by too many tourists?
• Should tourists follow stricter rules in culturally sensitive areas?

Sentence Frames:

• Mass tourism can turn traditions into performances for money.
• Some communities rely on tourism but lose their authenticity.
• Responsible tourism can educate visitors and support locals.
• Popular destinations need limits to protect their culture.

14. Traveling abroad is more educational than studying in a classroom.

Useful Vocabulary: real-world experience, textbooks, language immersion, independence

Question Prompts:

• What can you learn from traveling that school can’t teach?
• Is studying a language abroad more effective than learning in class?
• How does travel build life skills like problem-solving?
• Can virtual tours replace the benefits of real travel?

Sentence Frames:

• Travel forces you to adapt to new situations, which builds confidence.
• Classroom learning lacks the cultural immersion of visiting a country.
• History and art are more meaningful when seen in person.
• Not everyone can afford to travel, so classrooms are still important.

15. Cruise ships are bad for the environment.

Useful Vocabulary: pollution, waste, marine life, carbon footprint, regulations

Question Prompts:

• How do cruise ships contribute to ocean pollution?
• Should there be stricter laws for cruise ship waste management?
• Are eco-friendly cruises possible, or is the industry too harmful?
• Would you choose a cruise knowing its environmental impact?

Sentence Frames:

• Cruise ships dump waste into the ocean, harming marine ecosystems.
• The fuel used by cruise ships creates massive carbon emissions.
• Some companies are trying to reduce their environmental impact.
• Travelers should research eco-friendly alternatives to cruises.

B2-Level ESL Travel and Tourism Debate Topics

16. Governments should prioritize tourists over local residents.

Useful Vocabulary: infrastructure, economy, gentrification, tax revenue, displacement

Question Prompts:

• How does tourism revenue benefit a country’s economy?
• What are the negative effects of prioritizing tourists (e.g., rising rents)?
• Should popular cities limit tourist numbers to protect residents?
• Can governments balance the needs of locals and tourists?

Sentence Frames:

• Tourism brings jobs and money, but it can push locals out of their neighborhoods.
• Short-term rentals (like Airbnb) reduce housing for residents.
• Taxes from tourists can improve public services for everyone.
• Without regulations, overtourism makes life harder for locals.

17. Voluntourism does more harm than good.

Useful Vocabulary: voluntourism, exploitation, unskilled labor, dependency, ethics

Question Prompts:

• Why do some voluntourism programs hurt communities instead of helping?
• Are volunteers often unprepared for the work they’re doing?
• How can “helping” abroad become selfish or harmful?
• What are ethical alternatives to voluntourism?

Sentence Frames:

• Voluntourism can create dependency rather than sustainable solutions.
• Unskilled volunteers may take jobs away from local workers.
• Some programs prioritize the volunteer’s experience over real impact.
• Donating to local organizations is often more effective than volunteering short-term.

18. Space tourism is a waste of resources.

Useful Vocabulary: space travel, billionaires, environmental cost, scientific research, inequality

Question Prompts:

• Should billionaires invest in space tourism when Earth has urgent problems?
• Does space tourism contribute to scientific progress, or is it just for fun?
• How much pollution is created by rocket launches?
• Will space travel ever be accessible to average people?

Sentence Frames:

• The money spent on space tourism could solve poverty or climate issues.
• Rocket emissions damage the atmosphere and contribute to climate change.
• Space research has led to useful technologies, but tourism is purely recreational.
• If space travel becomes cheaper, it might benefit more people in the future.

19. Travel bans are ineffective for controlling pandemics.

Useful Vocabulary: restrictions, globalization, spread of disease, economy, enforcement

Question Prompts:

• Do travel bans delay or prevent the spread of diseases?
• How do travel restrictions hurt the global economy?
• Are there better ways to control pandemics than closing borders?
• Should countries have the right to ban travelers during health crises?

Sentence Frames:

• Travel bans often come too late to stop outbreaks.
• Closing borders damages industries like tourism and trade.
• Testing and quarantine systems are more effective than outright bans.
• International cooperation is key to managing health crises.

20. Cultural appropriation is a growing problem in tourism.

Useful Vocabulary: appropriation, disrespect, stereotypes, commercialization, awareness

Question Prompts:

• What’s the difference between cultural exchange and appropriation?
• How do tourists sometimes disrespect local traditions?
• Should businesses sell sacred cultural items as souvenirs?
• Can education reduce cultural appropriation in travel?

Sentence Frames:

• Wearing traditional clothing as a costume trivializes its significance.
• Buying mass-produced “ethnic” crafts exploits cultural symbols for profit.
• Learning about a culture’s history helps tourists avoid disrespect.
• Supporting local artisans is better than buying cheap imitations.

C1-Level ESL Travel and Tourism Debate Topics

21. The globalization of tourism has created a monoculture that erases local uniqueness.

Useful Vocabulary: homogenization, commodification, globalized aesthetics, authenticity, cultural erosion

Question Prompts:

• How do international hotel chains contribute to the “sameness” of cities worldwide?
• In what ways does catering to tourist expectations dilute local character?
• Can cities preserve their identity while still accommodating mass tourism?
• Is the rise of “Instagram tourism” accelerating this trend?

Sentence Frames:

• The proliferation of Starbucks and McDonalds in historic districts symbolizes…
• When destinations modify traditions to appeal to tourists, they risk…
• While standardization ensures comfort for travelers, it comes at the cost of…
• The paradox of seeking authentic experiences through commercialized tours…

22. Tourism should be taxed as a luxury to fund climate change mitigation.

Useful Vocabulary: carbon levy, regressive taxation, ecological footprint, discretionary spending, sustainability

Question Prompts:

• Should frequent flyers pay progressively higher taxes?
• How would a tourism tax disproportionately affect different socioeconomic groups?
• Could heavy taxation on tourism actually reduce global cultural exchange?
• What alternative solutions exist to make travel more sustainable?

Sentence Frames:

• Implementing a carbon tax on aviation would…
• While such taxes may curb excessive travel, they could also…
• The ethical dilemma lies in balancing…
• A more equitable solution might involve…

23. Digital nomadism exploits developing nations while providing minimal local benefit.

Useful Vocabulary: economic leakage, residency visas, gentrification, remote work, neo-colonialism

Question Prompts:

• How do digital nomads contribute to rising living costs in popular destinations?
• Should there be stricter requirements for nomad visas (e.g., mandatory local hiring)?
• In what ways do nomad hubs become “bubbles” disconnected from the host community?
• Can this trend be restructured to create more symbiotic relationships?

Sentence Frames:

• When high-earning remote workers flood low-cost areas, they…
• The current nomad visa systems primarily benefit…
• Requiring nomads to invest in local businesses could…
• This represents a 21st-century form of…

24. UNESCO World Heritage status often does more harm than good to historic sites.

Useful Vocabulary: over-preservation, tourist saturation, conservation paradox, frozen in time, living heritage

Question Prompts:

• How does the pursuit of UNESCO status sometimes distort local priorities?
• Should there be a “carrying capacity” limit for listed sites?
• Does the requirement to preserve sites unchanged conflict with organic cultural evolution?
• What alternatives exist to protect heritage without museumizing communities?

Sentence Frames:

• The stringent preservation requirements can…
• When a site becomes primarily a tourist commodity rather than…
• The tension between conservation and continued cultural practice manifests in…
• A more dynamic approach might involve…

25. The “last chance tourism” phenomenon accelerates the destruction it seeks to witness.

Useful Vocabulary: doom tourism, ethical paradox, climate feedback loop, voyeurism, mitigation

Question Prompts:

• Does visiting melting glaciers or endangered ecosystems contribute to their demise?
• How can sites manage visitor numbers without creating exclusionary elitism?
• Should certain fragile environments be completely off-limits to tourists?
• What responsibility do tour operators have in educating visitors?

Sentence Frames:

• The carbon footprint of traveling to see climate-threatened sites…
• While these experiences raise awareness, they simultaneously…
• Permitting systems modeled on Bhutan’s high-value, low-volume approach…
• This represents an unsustainable form of…

C2-Level ESL Travel and Tourism Debate Topics

26. The cruise industry’s environmental pledges are mere greenwashing.

Useful Vocabulary: LNG fuels, scrubber systems, carbon offsetting, marine sanctuaries, corporate accountability

Question Prompts:

• How effective are current “eco-friendly” cruise initiatives in reality?
• Should there be international bans on heavy fuel oil in sensitive marine areas?
• Can the cruise model ever be truly sustainable given its massive scale?
• What alternative coastal tourism models could replace cruises?

Sentence Frames:

• While companies advertise LNG-powered ships, the overall…
• The concentration of thousands of passengers in fragile ecosystems…
• Port cities dependent on cruise revenue face…
• A genuine sustainable transition would require…

27. Travel influencers should be legally liable for promoting dangerous locations.

Useful Vocabulary: duty of care, liability waivers, risk disclosure, content moderation, ethical marketing

Question Prompts:

• Where should the line be drawn between personal responsibility and influencer accountability?
• How have viral trends like “Tide Pod Challenge” parallels emerged in travel?
• Should platforms enforce geotagging restrictions on sensitive locations?
• What precedents exist from other industries for holding content creators responsible?

Sentence Frames:

• The phenomenon of “Instagram vs. Reality” in dangerous locations…
• While freedom of expression is important, the demonstrated impact of…
• A possible regulatory framework could mirror…
• Influencers claiming “it’s just inspiration” overlook…

28. Medical tourism creates unethical two-tier healthcare systems in developing nations.

Useful Vocabulary: healthcare disparity, medical migration, resource allocation, cross-border accreditation, bioethics

Question Prompts:

• How does catering to foreign patients impact local healthcare accessibility?
• Should there be quotas ensuring locals retain priority in premium facilities?
• What safeguards exist against substandard care for international patients?
• Can the knowledge transfer benefits outweigh the equity concerns?

Sentence Frames:

• When hospitals allocate their best doctors to…
• The economic argument ignores the moral hazard of…
• Accreditation systems could be reformed to…
• This represents a globalization of…

29. “Slow travel” movements are just privileged tourism repackaged.

Useful Vocabulary: performative minimalism, temporal privilege, mobility inequality, virtue signaling, authentic engagement

Question Prompts:

• Does staying longer truly lead to more meaningful cultural exchange?
• How accessible is slow travel for those with limited vacation time?
• Can the carbon footprint justification withstand scrutiny of extended stays?
• What systemic changes would make slow travel genuinely transformative?

Sentence Frames:

• The romanticization of “living like a local” often overlooks…
• While reducing flight frequency helps, the privilege of…
• True slow travel would necessitate…
• This movement risks becoming another form of…

30. National tourism boards should stop promoting “bucket list” mentality.

Useful Vocabulary: experience economy, checklist tourism, mindful travel, destination saturation, experience commodification

Question Prompts:

• How does the bucket list approach contribute to overtourism?
• Should marketing shift from iconic landmarks to immersive experiences?
• What psychological effects does checklist tourism have on traveler satisfaction?
• Can destinations benefit economically from discouraging superficial visits?

Sentence Frames:

• The pressure to “collect” experiences transforms…
• While bucket lists drive visitor numbers, they undermine…
• Alternative marketing could emphasize…
• This represents a fundamental mismatch between…

Conclusion

These Travel and Tourism Debate Topics give your ESL students more than just language practice—they spark curiosity about the world. Whether debating ethical travel or comparing transportation, learners gain vocabulary, critical thinking skills, and cultural awareness in every discussion.

The structured format (vocabulary, prompts, and sentence frames) saves you time while keeping lessons engaging. Students build confidence as they defend opinions, listen actively, and explore global perspectives—key skills for real-life communication.

Best of all, these debates work for any class. Beginners express simple preferences, while advanced learners tackle complex issues like sustainability. The topics stay relevant, connecting language learning to real-world experiences.

Ready to energize your classroom? Pick a topic, divide your students into teams, and let the lively discussions begin. Watch their fluency grow as they argue, agree, and discover new ideas—one debate at a time!

10 FAQs About Using Travel and Tourism Debate Topics

1. Why should I use debate topics in my ESL class?

Debates boost speaking fluency, critical thinking, and vocabulary retention. They also make lessons interactive and student-centered.

2. How do I choose the right topic for my students’ level?

This list is organized by CEFR levels (A1-C1). Beginners (A1-A2) focus on preferences (e.g., “Hotels vs. Hostels”), while advanced learners (B2-C1) tackle complex issues (e.g., “Overtourism”).

3. What if my students are shy or hesitant to debate?

Start with small-group discussions using sentence frames. Role-playing as “travel agents” or “tourists” can ease them into speaking.

4. How can I prep students for debates?

Pre-teach key vocabulary and model arguments. Use the provided prompts to brainstorm ideas together before debating.

5. Can I use these topics for writing tasks too?

Absolutely! Assign writing tasks like opinion essays, persuasive emails (e.g., “Complaint to an airline”), or travel blog posts using the debate themes.

6. How long should a debate activity last?

For lower levels: 15–20 mins (short exchanges). Advanced students can debate 30+ mins with rebuttals and research.

7. What if students lack knowledge about the topic?

Provide a short article, video, or infographic beforehand (e.g., “The Effects of Cruise Ships on the Environment”).

8. How do I assess debate performance?

Track participation, use of target vocabulary, and clarity of arguments. Rubrics can include “persuasiveness” and “listening responses.”

9. Can I adapt these for online classes?

Yes! Use breakout rooms for team prep and polls (e.g., “Is space tourism ethical?”). Shared Google Docs can organize arguments.

10. How do these topics connect to real-life English?

They mirror global conversations (sustainability, cultural respect) and practical situations (booking trips, complaining about services).

Tip: For mixed-level classes, pair A1 students with B1+ peers—they’ll scaffold each other’s learning!