To be or not to be , esa es la cuestión : a percepção dos gestores sobre o uso das línguas inglesa e espanhola no ambiente de trabalho dos hostels no destino de Pipa / RN

Abstract

This study addresses the role of foreign languages in the tourism context, with a focus on English and Spanish. The main objective is to investigate how hostel managers perceive the importance of foreign language skills among their staff and how this competence influences the quality of service provided to tourists in the destination of Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. To achieve this objective, a qualitative approach with an exploratory and descriptive nature was adopted. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire applied to hostel managers in the locality. The research universe consisted of 21 hostels in operation, of which four managers responded to the research instrument between January 21 and January 31, 2026. The results indicate that managers recognize foreign language proficiency as a relevant factor for serving international tourists, highlighting English as the lingua franca of tourism and Spanish as a strategic language due to the predominant profile of guests, especially those from Argentina. It was found that the use of these languages contributes to better communication, improved guest experience, higher satisfaction, and greater competitiveness of the establishments, directly influencing service quality and hospitality in hostels in Pipa/RN. However, the findings also reveal that language training for staff is still limited and, in many cases, informal or insufficient. This highlights the need for greater investment in language training and professional development, as well as stronger collaboration between managers, educational institutions, and public policies to support sustainable local tourism.