Abstract:
This research is a descriptive qualitative research. Research subjects were local
residents and foreign tourists in Ketambe National Park. Data collection methods
used are observation, interview, documentation. This study aims to determine
what factors are hampering interaction between local residents and foreign tourists
in Ketambe National Park. The results showed: the first obstacle was language
differences, where many local residents did not master English vocabulary so that
misunderstandings often occurred and foreign tourists did not understand the
national language. Second, there are cultural differences between local residents
and foreign tourists so that there are barriers to interaction, thirdly the interaction
of foreign tourists with local people using nonverbal communication. Thus it can
be concluded that differences in culture, language and daily habits become a
major obstacle in the interaction between local residents and foreigners. The use
of intensive language and communication both to overcome language and cultural
differences between tourists and local residents