【大学受験対策】英語長文問題73（観光）350語＋和訳・解答解説

Tourism has long been recognized as a powerful tool for economic growth. When visitors arrive in a town or city, they spend money on hotels, restaurants, and transportation. Local shops and farmers also benefit when tourists buy souvenirs and taste regional products. In many countries, governments see tourism as a way to create jobs and support small businesses. However, tourism is not just about profit. It can also help preserve local traditions and encourage cultural exchange between people from different parts of the world.

In recent years, many rural areas have faced the problem of population decline. Young people often move to big cities for education and work opportunities, leaving behind older generations. As a result, small villages may lose essential services like schools or clinics. Tourism can offer a solution. By promoting local crafts, food, or historical sites, communities can attract visitors and bring new energy into the area. For example, some Japanese villages have successfully used traditional festivals and farm experiences to invite both domestic and international tourists.

Still, tourism brings challenges as well. If too many travelers arrive at once, local infrastructure such as roads, waste systems, and public transport can become overloaded. Natural sites may suffer from pollution or damage, and residents might feel that their daily lives are being disturbed. This situation, sometimes called “overtourism,” has been seen in famous destinations like Venice or Barcelona. For tourism to truly support revitalization, it must be carefully managed so that benefits are balanced with protection of the environment and quality of life.

One promising approach is sustainable tourism, which emphasizes long-term responsibility. This means limiting the number of visitors to sensitive areas, using eco-friendly transportation, and involving local people in decision-making. Tourists themselves also play a role: by respecting local customs and choosing businesses that care about the community, they can make their trips more meaningful. When practiced wisely, tourism can do more than generate income. It can reconnect young people with their hometowns, preserve cultural heritage, and create pride in local identity. In this way, tourism becomes a key driver of both economic and social revitalization.

Q1. What is a key risk when visitor numbers are poorly managed?

1. Residents typically welcome noise because it boosts nightlife and tourism.
2. Local infrastructure and nature can be strained by heavy crowds.
3. Overtourism mainly reduces museum ticket prices to attract more visitors.
4. Cities generally expand roads quickly whenever traveler demand suddenly increases.

Q2. Which statement best captures both economic and social roles of tourism?

1. Governments always prioritize profit over culture in promoting tourism.
2. Sustainable travel discourages local participation in planning and decisions.
3. Tourism can create jobs and strengthen communities when practiced responsibly.
4. Tourists make trips meaningful by ignoring customs and shopping internationally.

Q3. Which statement is NOT supported by the passage?

1. Overtourism mainly benefits residents by making daily life more convenient.
2. Rural communities can attract visitors by showcasing crafts and farm life.
3. Travelers support sustainability by respecting customs and choosing community-minded businesses.
4. Depopulation threatens services, but tourism can inject new energy.