English Vocabulary in Use Advanced - Attracting Tourists

A collection of vocabulary terms and definitions for describing tourist destinations and travel advertisements as presented in Unit 27 of English Vocabulary in Use Advanced.

Escape the crowds

Go where there are not many people.

Get off the beaten track

Go to places tourists don’t normally go, somewhere different/unusual.

Get back to nature

Live a natural, rural style of life.

Tourist sector

Tourist industry; formal.

Discerning

Showing good judgement, especially about style and quality.

Boast

This use is for listing the good qualities of a place; formal.

Hordes

Crowds, in a negative sense.

A wealth of

Large amount of; formal.

Flora and fauna

Plants and animals; a fixed phrase (Latin).

National parks

Areas of a country that are protected by the government because of their natural beauty or because they have a special history.

Nature reserves

Areas of land protected in order to keep safe the animals and plants that live there, often because they are rare.

Tracts

Areas of land; collocates with large, vast, huge.

Virgin

Original and natural (often describing rainforest).

Seeking something out of the ordinary

Looking for something different (seek is rather formal).

Unwind

Relax, reduce your general level of stress.

Recharge

Get back your energy (like recharging a battery).

The bush

Wild, areas covered in grass, bushes or trees (especially in Africa and Australia).

4x4

Pronounced four by four; vehicles with driving power on all four wheels.

Waterfront

On the edge of the sea or of a river.

Stunning

Extremely beautiful.

Unbeatable

No other company can offer cheaper ones for the same service.

Awe-inspiring

It fills you with a sense of the power and beauty of what you are looking at.

Ramble

A long, pleasant walk, not too demanding.

Hike

A demanding walk, suggesting more difficult terrain.

Trek

Usually of several days over wild country.

Unrivalled

No other holiday programme can match this.

Scenic

Having views of the attractive, natural things in the countryside.

Paradise

A perfect place or situation (often collocated with tropical when describing somewhere hot and sunny).

Ecotourism

The business of organising holidays in a way which helps local people and does not damage the environment.

Savour

Enjoy or taste (often used in advertisements).

Heartland

The inland areas furthest away from the sea or from borders with other countries.