The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017

The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.

This essay question is from Cambridge IELTS 15 Test 2 Writing Task 1.

Number of tourists visiting a Caribbean island (2010-2017)

Sample Essay

The line graph illustrates the number of tourists visiting a Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017, distinguishing between those who stayed on the island and those who stayed on cruise ships.

Overall, the total number of visitors increased steadily throughout the period, with a notable shift in 2016 when more tourists opted for cruise ships than the island itself.

The total arrivals to the island rose gradually from 1 million in 2010 to approximately 2.75 million in 2015. This figure remained relatively stable in 2016 before surging sharply to 3.5 million in 2017.

Tourists staying on the island numbered around 0.75 million in 2010 and 2011. Their numbers then climbed steadily, reaching a plateau of 1.5 million between 2013 and 2017, with only a slight dip observed in 2016.

In contrast, visitors residing on cruise ships were far fewer at the start, totaling roughly 0.25 million in 2010. After minor fluctuations over the next two years, the figure rose consistently, surpassing the number of island-staying tourists in 2016 and reaching 2 million by the end of the period.