Tourism Discourse and Sociolinguistic Perspective in Indonesian Travel Guide Book

Abstract

Tourism discourse represents a specialized form of communication that combines descriptive, promotional, and cultural narratives to engage prospective travellers and shape their perceptions of destinations. This study investigates the linguistic choices and sociolinguistic perspectives employed in Indonesian travel guidebooks published by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. Using a qualitative contextual content analysis approach, this research explores how language functions as a tool for persuasion, cultural representation, and identity construction. Specifically, it identifies the types of discourse utilized, examines how sociolinguistic perspectives inform the language used, and analyses the rationale behind the portrayal of Indonesian culture to international audiences. Through a qualitative analysis of selected guidebook texts, the study demonstrates how promotional, instructional, and cultural discourses intertwine to shape tourist perceptions and engagement. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between language, culture, and tourism, offering valuable insights for developing more effective and culturally resonant tourism materials.