Participation in ecotourism education, gender and place of residence as determinants of attitudes towards sustainable tourism

Abstract

The aim of the research was examination of pro-environmental attitudes of the students participating in optional classes of Sustainable Tourism on the background of students who did not participate in such classes. In the research participated 126 students of tourism and recreation. From among 7 factors creating Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS), 9 statements forming the first component of the scale of Environmental Sustainability - were used. The results do not confirm more positive attitudes of students realizing Sustainable Tourism. No differences were found either, in pro-environmental attitudes between respondents from a town or from a village. According to the expectations, women are characterized by more positive ecological attitudes than men. Educational contact with sustainable tourism and place of origin had no effect on environmental attitudes.