The Role of English as a Lingua Franca in Promoting Cultural Heritage through Sustainable Tourism Strategies

This paper explores the role of English as a lingua franca (ELF) in the dissemination, promotion, and preservation of cultural heritage within the context of sustainable tourism strategies. Given the increasing globalization of travel, English has become a critical tool for communication among international stakeholders, tourists, and local communities. The study addresses how the strategic use of English can facilitate cross-cultural understanding, support sustainable development goals (SDGs), enhance the accessibility of heritage sites, and promote inclusive participation. Drawing from interdisciplinary literature, case studies, and current tourism policies, the paper highlights both the opportunities and challenges posed by the dominance of English in heritage tourism. The study concludes by offering recommendations for policymakers, tourism developers, and cultural institutions on the effective integration of English into sustainable tourism strategies without compromising linguistic diversity and cultural authenticity.

Keywords:

English as a Lingua Franca , Sustainable Tourism , Cultural Heritage , Language Policy , Cross-cultural Communication , Tourism Strategy , Globalization , Cultural Preservation