Assessing the Role of Ecotourism Training in Changing Participants' Pro-Environmental Knowledge,Attitude and Behaviour |
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Authors: | Lewis T O Cheung Lincoln Fok |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Rm 1021, 10/F, Jockey Club Tower, Pokfulam Road, Hong Konglewis.cheung@hku.hk;3. Department of Science and Environmental Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Education, D3-1/F-29, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong;4. Centre for Education in Environmental Sustainability, Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong |
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Abstract: | Ecotourism training is usually considered to be undertaken only by tourism practitioners for professional development. However, ecotourism training has a more important role to play, as it could be adopted as a long-term strategy for environmental conservation by altering people's attitudes and behaviours towards greater environmental responsibility. In this study, the role of ecotourism training with respect to pro-environmental knowledge enhancement as well as attitude and behavioural changes is investigated. A questionnaire survey was conducted on participants of an ecotourism training programme. Participants' environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviours were evaluated using a pre- and post-test method. The results indicated that participants demonstrated a significant increase in environmental knowledge after the training. Moreover, participants' demographic characteristics such as age group, occupation and salary are significantly associated with the improvement in knowledge, change in pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours. Participants tend to adopt environmentally responsible attitudes and behaviours after completion of ecotourism training. |
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Keywords: | ecotourism training pro-environmental knowledge environmental responsible behaviours environmental education Hong Kong |
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