IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary · Topic
Travel & Tourism vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
Last updated 2 September 2026
In short
Describe places, journeys, and holidays with colour and precision. This collection gathers 16 high-value words for the travel & tourism topic, each with a clear definition, example sentences and the collocations that make it sound natural in the IELTS Speaking test.
Word list
All 16 words in this collection, with meanings and example sentences.
- accommodation
- A place to stay, such as a hotel, hostel, or rented room.
- “We booked our accommodation months in advance.”
- getaway
- A short holiday or escape from everyday life.
- “We booked a weekend getaway to the coast.”
- sightseeing
- The activity of visiting places of interest as a tourist.
- “We spent the morning sightseeing.”
- breathtaking
- Astonishingly beautiful or impressive.
- “The view from the summit was breathtaking.”
- broaden your horizons
- To increase the range of your knowledge, experience, or interests.
- “Studying abroad really broadened my horizons.”
- excursion
- A short trip made for pleasure, usually returning the same day.
- “We went on a day excursion to the islands.”
- expedition
- An organised journey undertaken for a specific purpose, such as exploration.
- “They joined an expedition to the Arctic.”
- hospitality
- Friendly and generous treatment of guests; also the industry that serves travellers.
- “We were touched by their warm hospitality.”
- itinerary
- A planned route or schedule for a journey.
- “Our itinerary includes three cities in five days.”
- unwind
- To relax after a period of work or tension.
- “A holiday is the perfect chance to unwind.”
- cosmopolitan
- Including or influenced by people and cultures from many parts of the world.
- “London is a truly cosmopolitan city.”
- immerse
- To involve yourself deeply in an activity or environment.
- “Travelling lets you immerse yourself in a new culture.”
- off the beaten track
- In a place away from where people usually go; remote and unfamiliar.
- “We prefer destinations off the beaten track.”
- picturesque
- Visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way.
- “We stayed in a picturesque fishing village.”
- pristine
- In its original, unspoilt condition; spotlessly clean.
- “The reserve protects a stretch of pristine coastline.”
- wanderlust
- A strong desire to travel and explore the world.
- “Her wanderlust took her across five continents.”
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Frequently asked questions
How can I remember travel & tourism vocabulary for IELTS?
Use spaced repetition and active recall rather than rote lists: review each word with flashcards and quizzes at growing intervals, and practise saying it aloud in your own example sentences.
How many words are in this collection?
This collection has 16 hand-picked words, each with a definition, pronunciation, example sentences, synonyms and collocations.