ECOTOURISM AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Authors

DOI:

10.26577/

Keywords:

Ecotourism, environmental sustainability, higher education, experiential learning, students

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to determine the role of ecotourism as an educational tool in promoting environmental sustainability among university students. It explores the experiential and emotional educational potential of ecotourism grounded in the theories of sustainable development, eco-education, and experiential learning.

Research methodology: A mixed-methods research design was utilized, combining qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with longitudinal quantitative analysis across four semesters (G1–G4). A sample of 100 students completed an Environmental Sustainability Metrics (ESM) questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed using Repeated Measures ANOVA, t-tests, regression analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

Findings: Ecotourism programs led to statistically significant, sustained increases in environmental knowledge (p < 0.01) and ecological values (p < 0.001) over four semesters. Structural Equation Modeling revealed that environmental values had a stronger direct effect on sustainable behavior (β = 0.47) than knowledge did (β = 0.31). Additionally, geography students scored higher than economics students, highlighting the impact of educational context and institutional support. Qualitative analysis reinforced these findings, identifying core themes such as "sustainable attitude change" alongside "contextual barriers."

Originality: This study demonstrates that ecotourism serves as a highly effective higher education strategy for fostering environmental awareness. It uniquely bridges theory and practice by offering concrete curricular recommendations, including the development of interfaculty programs, the creation of sustainability-oriented campus infrastructure, and the implementation of community-based service-learning projects.

Author Biographies

  • A. Karabayeva, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

    (corresponding author) – PhD student, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

  • A. Tazhekova, South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University named after Uzbekali Zhanibekov

    g.s.k, Associate Professor, South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University named after Uzbekali Zhanibekov

  • E. Atasoy, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa Uludağ Üni̇versi̇tesi̇

    Prof. Dr., Bursa Uludag University

  • A. Utemissova, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

    PhD student, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

  • Z. Kozhabekova, South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University named after Uzbekali Zhanibekov

    Senior Lecturer, South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University named after Uzbekali Zhanibekov

Published

2026-06-20

Issue

Vol. 81 No. 2 (2026): Journal of Geography and Environmental Management

Section

Geoeducation

How to Cite

ECOTOURISM AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. (2026). Journal of Geography and Environmental Management, 81(2). https://doi.org/10.26577/