The linguistic landscape for sustainable and inclusive tourism: insight from Timor Tengah Selatan, Indonesia

This study explores the role of linguistic elements in supporting or hindering sustainable and inclusive tourism, a vital factor for the economic growth of the regency, which depends heavily on tourism. The research aims to fill this gap by comprehensively analyzing the linguistic landscape in Timor Tengah Selatan Regency (TTS) of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, and its impact on tourism development. Data for the study were gathered from all potential tourist destinations listed on the government website, including beaches, nature reserves, baths or waterfalls, tourist villages, and religious tourism sites. Data collection methods included observation, photographic documentation, and interviews. The collected data were analyzed using both qualitative approaches. The signage at these tourist locations typically included directional signs to the destinations, name boards, directional signs within the sites, and other informational signs, such as reminders to keep the area clean or to protect the trees. The signs were predominantly in Indonesian and English, presented in monolingual formats. The linguistic landscape in the tourist areas of TTS represents a critical intersection of language and tourism. This research adds to the broader discussion on sustainable tourism by emphasizing the significance of linguistic diversity and inclusive practices in achieving long-term sustainability objectives.