Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province

Catalyzed by the proliferation of nature-based travel and a heightened global imperative for environmental conservation, ecotourism has solidified its position as a preeminent sub-sector of the tourism industry since the early 2000s, distinguished by its adherence to ecological stewardship and sustainable development. Türkiye, owing to its rich biodiversity and diverse natural landscapes, possesses substantial potential for ecotourism development. Within this context, Düzce stands out as a notable destination due to its mountainous terrain, plateaus, dense vegetation, and strategic accessibility. Education constitutes a critical pillar for the long-term sustainability of tourism, and teachers play a central role in cultivating environmental awareness, sustainability values, and social responsibility among future generations. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the levels and underlying dimensions of ecotourism perceptions among teachers employed in schools affiliated with the Düzce Provincial Directorate of National Education. Data were collected through an online questionnaire administered to 320 teachers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factorial analysis of variance (Factorial ANOVA), and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to identify the principal components of teachers’ ecotourism perceptions. EFA identified three key dimensions of ecotourism perception: benefits from ecotourism, measures for sustainability of ecotourism and environmental ecotourism. Factorial ANOVA results indicated significant differences across selected demographic and professional characteristics. The study concludes that teachers represent important stakeholders in promoting sustainable tourism and environmental awareness, highlighting the need to strengthen ecotourism and sustainability education through school-based and community-oriented initiatives.