Environmental education potential for Greek ecotourism

Abstract

This paper focuses on the total number of individuals running small ecotourism enterprises in areas of specific interest in Greece, and our objective was to explore the ways of measuring their awareness and characteristics in order to identify the requirements of specific environmental education programmes. A statistical analysis utilizing factor and reliability analysis revealed the environmental profile of the target group. The main factors extracted were: cooperation with environmental organization (governmental or non‐governmental); intention for union cooperation; the degree of environmental activism; an assessment of environmental needs; acceptance of financial responsibility; willingness to accept environmental education; environmental education influence; and hierarchy in environmental protection. The development of a specific environmental education programme to be offered to such people is of extreme importance due to their indirect role as environmental practitioners; often providing information about the local environment to visiting tourists. An appropriate environmental programme tailored to their assessed needs and characteristics is of extreme importance.