Needs Analysis of English-Speaking Skills for Marine Tourism Professionals: Foundations for Developing Culture-Based ESP Materials
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v14i1.11733Keywords:
Bugis Hospitality Values, English for Specific Purposes, Marine Tourism, Needs Analysis, Speaking SkillsAbstract
The rapid growth of marine tourism has increased the demand for English-speaking professionals capable of providing effective communication and high-quality services to international visitors. Although previous studies on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) have emphasized tourism English, they have primarily focused on general hospitality settings and language proficiency, with limited attention to workplace speaking competence in marine tourism and the integration of indigenous cultural values into instructional materials. This gap highlights the need for context-specific needs analysis to inform the development of authentic and culturally responsive ESP materials. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the English-speaking needs of marine tourism professionals as a foundation for developing culture-based ESP speaking materials. Employing a descriptive mixed-methods design, the study was conducted among 24 marine tourism professionals in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, selected through purposive sampling from occupations involving direct interaction with international tourists. Data were collected using a researcher-developed needs analysis questionnaire comprising Likert-scale and open-ended items grounded in established ESP needs analysis frameworks. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages, while qualitative responses were examined through Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. The findings revealed that English speaking is perceived as an essential occupational competence for explaining destinations, answering tourists’ inquiries, handling complaints, introducing local culture, and facilitating intercultural communication. Participants also identified pronunciation, listening comprehension, complaint handling, and selecting contextually appropriate expressions as major communication challenges. Furthermore, they strongly preferred authentic workplace learning activities, practice-oriented speaking tasks, multimedia support, intercultural communication training, and the integration of Bugis hospitality values - Sipakatau, Sipakalebbi, Sipakainge', and Taro Ada Taro Gau - into ESP materials. This study contributes to the ESP literature by proposing a culture-based framework that integrates workplace communication, intercultural competence, and indigenous hospitality values to support the development of contextually relevant English-speaking materials for marine tourism professionals.
References
Albrecht, J. N., Moscardo, G., & Dwyer, T. (2022). Learning about learning in tourism: Indigenous guide perspectives on their personal and professional development. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 46(2), 320–343. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348021997535
Ananta, B. D. B., Sholahuddin, M. F. T., Khotib, D. A., & Farah, R. R. (2025). Need analysis of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in Psychology: Identifying linguistics demands for academic and professional success. English Learning Innovation, 6(1), 108–123. https://doi.org/10.22219/englie.v6i1.37743
Anggayana, I. W. A. (2023). Integrating linguistic theories into English language education in tourism sectors: A comprehensive framework. Jurnal Manajemen Pelayanan Hotel, 7(2), 891–918. http://doi.org/10.37484/jmph.070215
Astawa, G. (2024). English proficiency and cultural competence for tourism professionals in the globalized tourism industry. Jurnal Kajian dan Terapan Pariwisata, 4(2), 1-15. http://doi.org/10.53356/diparojs.v4i2.87
Baker, M. A. (2024). Sustainable tourism employment: A comprehensive overview of tourism employees' experience from a tourist–employee interaction perspective. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 60, 228–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2024.07.009
Buhalis, D., Leung, X. Y., Fan, D., Darcy, S., Chen, G., Xu, F., Tan, G.W., Nunkoo, R., & Farmaki, A. (2023). Tourism 2030 and the contribution to the sustainable development goals: The Tourism Review viewpoint. Tourism Review, 78(2), 293–313. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-04-2023-620
Carvalho, I. (2023). ‘You can see both sides of the coin’: How the pursuit of language skills influences the travel experience. Tourism Recreation Research, 48(1), 17–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2021.1894044
Dai, D. W. (2026). What do second language speakers really need for real-world interaction? A needs analysis of L2 Chinese interactional competence. Language Teaching Research, 30(2), 655–692. https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688221144836
Dudley-Evans, T., & St John, M. J. (1998). Developments in English for Specific Purposes: A multi-disciplinary approach. Cambridge University Press.
Españo, A. C., Adalia, H. G., Quinto, J. B., Cuilan, J., Garil, B. A., Ramos, A. L., Chavez, J. V., & Lulu, F. M. (2025). English language confidence and self-presentation: Assessing employability appeal to hiring managers in the tourism industry. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7 (7), 839–852. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i7.8636
Fahlevi, M. (2023). A systematic literature review on marine tourism in business management: State of the art and future research agenda. Journal of Tourism and Services, 14(27), 299–321. https://doi.org/10.29036/jots.v14i27.549
Farea, W. A., & Singh, M. K. M. (2024). A target English needs analysis on ESP course: Exploring medical students' perceptions of necessities at a Yemeni university. Training, Language and Culture, 8(1), 20–37. https://doi.org/10.22363/2521-442X-2024-8-1-20-37
Fauzi, M. A. (2023). A bibliometric review on knowledge management in tourism and hospitality: Past, present and future trends. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(6), 2178–2201. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-03-2022-0381
Febrianti, V., & Purwanto, M. B. (2026). Workplace-based English language training in the hotel industry: A systematic review of effective approaches. WriteLab Daneshgah, 1(1), 1–18. https://writelabindonesia.org/index.php/daneshgah/article/view/7/version/7
Gajić, T., Minasyan, L. A., Petrović, M. D., Bakhtin, V. A., Kaneeva, A. V., & Wiegel, N. L. (2023). Travelers' resilience to environmental risks emphasized in the media and their redirecting to medical destinations: Enhancing sustainability. Sustainability, 15(21), 15297. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115297
Hutchinson, T., & Waters, A. (1987). English for Specific Purposes: A learning-centred approach. Cambridge University Press.
Islahuddin, I., Eppang, B. M., Som, A. P. M., Masatip, A., & Salim, M. A. M. (2022). Adaptation and collaboration of local community in super priority destination tourism program in Labuan Bajo. ETNOSIA: Jurnal Etnografi Indonesia, 7(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.31947/etnosia.v7i1.19708
Jain, P. (2024). Authentic materials for intercultural communication: Develop speaking materials that encourage learners to engage in authentic cross-cultural communication effectively in diverse global contexts. Creative Saplings, 3(4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.56062/gtrs.2024.3.4.563
Jantawong, L., Sermsook, K., & Nakplad, R. (2023). Voices of tourism-related personnel regarding their problems and English language needs: A case study of the tourism industry in Phang Nga, Thailand. Education Quarterly Reviews, 6(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1993.06.02.749
Jawabreh, O., Al Fayoumi, T., & Bareya, A. (2022). Customer satisfaction towards communication skills of front office staff at the hotel (Case study five-star hotels in Aqaba). GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 44(4), 1312–1318. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.44416-948
Kalfas, D., Kalogiannidis, S., Ambas, V., & Chatzitheodoridis, F. (2024). Contribution of the cultural and creative industries to regional development and revitalization: A European perspective. Urban Science, 8(2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020039
Kurniawati, L. A., & Malasari, S. (2022). Local wisdom in designing ESP for community-based tourism practitioners: A study of needs analysis. SAGA: Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 3(2), 147–162. https://doi.org/10.21460/saga.2022.32.135
Lee, K., Lee, N., & Lee, T. J. (2023). Korean tourists' experience of intercultural communication through English as a Lingua Franca in overseas travel: A grounded theory approach. Tourism Management Perspectives, 48, 101145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2023.101145
Mao, F., & Zhou, J. (2024). A needs analysis of ESP courses in colleges of art and design: Consensus and divergence. PLOS ONE, 19(6), e0305210. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305210
Morrison, A. M. (2023). Marketing and managing tourism destinations. Routledge.
Munusamy, P., & Kaliappen, N. (2023). English for tourism and hospitality purposes. In International Handbook of Skill, Education, Learning, and Research Development in Tourism and Hospitality (pp. 1–13). Springer Nature.
Nabilla, F., Imelwaty, S., & Perpisa, L. (2025). Negotiating intercultural encounters: Communication strategies of tourism and hospitality workers in West Sumatra's multilingual tourism context. Jurnal Pendidikan Sekolah, 3(1), 52-66. https://ejournal.upgrisba.ac.id/index.php/jps/article/view/10272/4068
Nafisah, S., Oktarina, I., Santri, D., & Suwartono, T. (2024). Teachers' perception and practices of intercultural communicative competence integration in EFL classroom: A systematic literature review. Educalitra, 3(1), 1–19. https://journal.unupurwokerto.ac.id/index.php/educalitra/article/view/263/177
Nasution, T., Afrianti, D., Tukiyo, T., Sulistyani, S., & Herman, H. (2022). Critical Discourse Analysis in the Classroom : A Critical Language Awareness on Early Children ’ s Critical Thinking. Jurnal Obsesi : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(5), 4992–5002. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i5.2951
Ouarniki, O., & Boumediene, H. (2025). Tailoring needs-driven English curriculum for tourism industry in Algeria. Journal of Teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes, 13(1) 257–275. https://doi.org/10.22190/JTESAP250222021O
Pai, C. H., Zhang, Y., Wang, Y. L., Li, K., & Shang, Y. (2026). Current challenges and opportunities in cultural heritage preservation through sustainable tourism practices. Current Issues in Tourism, 29(5), 1016–1034. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2024.2443776
Pu, P., Chen60g, L., Samarathunga, W. H. M. S., & Wall, G. (2023). Tour guides' sustainable tourism practices in host–guest interactions: When Tibet meets the West. Tourism Review, 78(3), 808–833. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-04-2022-0182
Qiu, Q., Zuo, Y., & Zhang, M. (2022). Intangible cultural heritage in tourism: Research review and investigation of future agenda. Land, 11(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11010139
Rahman, A., & Suryawan, I. W. K. (2025). Rethinking marine tourism safety in Nusa Penida: A qualitative study of risks and management strategies. Indonesian Journal of Tourism and Leisure, 6(1), 18–35. https://doi.org/10.36256/ijtl.v6i1.515
Saputri, K., Mortini, A. V., Jaya, A., Yuliani, S., & Irawan, D. (2025). English for Tourism: Guiding techniques and tour management. PT Star Digital Publishing.
Simatupang, E. C., & Heryono, H. (2026). The efficacy of technology-enhanced task-based language teaching: Evidence from artificial intelligence-supported English instruction. International Journal of TESOL Studies, 8(2), 219–239. https://doi.org/10.58304/ijts.250714
Supriyanto, E. E. (2022). Blue tourism: Treating marine ecosystems and increasing the potential of maritime tourism in Indonesia. Jurnal Kepariwisataan Indonesia, 16(2), 138–148. https://doi.org/10.47608/jki.v16i22022.138-148
Tan, D., Diatta-Holgate, H. A., & Levesque-Bristol, C. (2023). Perceived autonomy supportive and culturally responsive environments contribute to international students' participation and willingness to communicate. Current Psychology, 42(9), 7629–7648. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02063-1
Tang, M., & Xu, H. (2023). Cultural integration and rural tourism development: A scoping literature review. Tourism and Hospitality, 4(1), 75–90. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp4010006
Thongphut, A., & Kaur, J. (2023). Doing explicit in hospitality and tourism service encounters in English as a lingua franca. English for Specific Purposes, 70, 224–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2023.01.003
Tiu, J., Groenewald, E., Kilag, O. K., Balicoco, R., Wenceslao, S., & Asentado, D. (2023). Enhancing oral proficiency: Effective strategies for teaching speaking skills in communication classrooms. Excellencia: International Multi-disciplinary Journal of Education, 1(6), 343–354. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10408499
Wasela, K. (2023). The role of intangible cultural heritage in the development of cultural tourism. International Journal of Eco-Cultural Tourism, Hospitality Planning and Development, 6(2), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.21608/ijecth.2024.297283.1004
Xu, H., Wang, Y., & Ma, J. (2025). A comprehensive review of intercultural communicative competence in EFL education and global business. Cogent Education, 12(1), 2557608. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2557608
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Widya Rizky Pratiwi, Effendi, Juhana, Celso P. Resueňo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access)
