The Role of English in Relation to Foreign Tourists’ Revisit Intention for Tourism Development in Mentawai, Indonesia

Abstract

English plays an important role in tourism. In tourism activity in Mentawai cultural tourism, foreign tourists involve in cultural activities in which they are served in English by Mentawaian people. Previous studies on Mentawai tourism show that before covid-19 pandemic, foreign tourists from different countries visiting Mentawai to experience Mentawai indigenous tradition were served in English. Unfortunately it is not examined yet whether or not the service in English has effects on tourists intention to revisit cultural tourism villages in Mentawai. Their revisit intention is certainly related to the service with which they have a tourism experience. This study examines the role of the English service in relation to foreign tourists’ revisit intention with the aim of finding out the effect of English on the revisit intention. The study is important for the developing of Mentawai tourism in this era of new normal and post-covid 19 in the future. The study conducted quantitatively resulted in that service in English had a positive effect on foreign tourists ‘ revisit intention, meaning that English supported tourists’ cultural contact with Mentawai tradition in tourism activity. Tourism service in English influenced tourists’ intention in the future time to visit cultural tourism villages in Mentawai. English plays an important role in improving tourists’ revisit intention to cultural tourism villages in Mentawai.