Environmental Education through Tourism

Abstract

Introduction. Ecological tourism is a relatively new phenomenon in modern tourism activities. The active involvement of the local population in the creation of tourist product is crucial for the successful development of ecological tourism. However, in Russia, ecotourism is not yet widespread.
Materials and methods. The methodology is comprehensive. These are philosophical and general scientific methods: analytical, phenomenological, principles of objectivity, universal connection, contradiction, methods of comparative analysis and synthesis, scientific generalization. The study applied a conceptual and logical analysis of theoretical
terminology in order to define the term “ecological path” for the socio-cultural context. Ecological tourism needs a new methodology of research involving new conceptual apparatus and methodological tools.
Results. Ecotourism is recognized as the most promising form in the implementation of the concept of sustainable development. The educational component of ecotourism not only serves informational needs, but also helps to minimize environmental impact and create a more informed and protective society. Ecological path — a specially equipped route, characterized by various objects of nature, architecture, with aesthetic, environmental, historical value, designed to
improve the environmental literacy of visitors. Educational environmental paths are specialized routes for environmental education.
Discussion and conclusions. The modern period of human development is characterized by an acute lack of environmental education of the population. We need a system of environmental education that would include not only environmental courses in educational institutions and work carried out by the media, but also direct human contact with nature.