Intercultural Communicative Competence of Thai Crew Members for International Cruise Lines
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Abstract
Since cruise tourism is a global business, cruise crew members need to possess strong English proficiency and intercultural communicative competence. However, studies on Thai cruise crew members and their intercultural communication are underexplored. This study investigated Thai cruise crew members’ intercultural communication backgrounds and their intercultural communicative competence. The data was collected from an online survey conducted between November 2020 and March 2021 from 433 Thai cruise crew members. It was found that they learned about intercultural communication at work or through their private life. They were equipped with a high level of overall intercultural communicative competence, with the strongest attributes in skill, attitude, action, and knowledge and understanding in descending order. This study suggests implications for educational institutions nationwide to prepare their graduates to be effective communicators by incorporating intercultural communication in their mandatory English language courses. Additionally, this study serves as a guideline for the Thai government and private sectors to develop intercultural communicative competence of current and future Thai cruise crew members.
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