Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province

Burcu Zeybek; Yaşar Selman Gültekin

doi:10.29130/dubited.1879646

TR EN

Abstract

Doğa temelli seyahatin yaygınlaşması ve çevre koruma konusundaki küresel gerekliliğin artmasıyla ivme kazanan ekoturizm, 2000’li yılların başından bu yana turizm sektörünün önde gelen bir alt sektörü olarak konumunu sağlamlaştırmış ve ekolojik sorumluluk ile sürdürülebilir kalkınmaya bağlılığıyla öne çıkmıştır. Türkiye, zengin biyolojik çeşitliliği ve çeşitli doğal manzaraları sayesinde ekoturizm geliştirme konusunda önemli bir potansiyele sahiptir. Bu bağlamda Düzce, dağlık arazisi, platoları, yoğun bitki örtüsü ve stratejik ulaşım kolaylığı nedeniyle dikkat çeken bir destinasyon olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Eğitim, turizmin uzun vadeli sürdürülebilirliği için kritik bir dayanak oluşturmaktadır ve öğretmenler, gelecek nesillerde çevre bilinci, sürdürülebilirlik değerleri ve sosyal sorumluluk bilincini geliştirme konusunda merkezi bir rol oynamaktadır. Bu nedenle, bu çalışma, Düzce İl Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü’ne bağlı okullarda görev yapan öğretmenler arasında ekoturizm algılarının düzeylerini ve altta yatan boyutlarını incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Veriler, 320 öğretmene uygulanan çevrimiçi bir anket aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Veriler betimsel istatistikler kullanılarak analiz edilmiş, öğretmenlerin ekoturizm algılarının temel bileşenlerini belirlemek için faktöriyel varyans analizi (Faktöriyel ANOVA) ve açıklayıcı faktör analizi (EFA) kullanılmıştır. EFA, ekoturizm algısının üç temel boyutunu belirlemiştir: ekoturizmden elde edilen faydalar, ekoturizmin sürdürülebilirliği için alınacak önlemler ve çevresel ekoturizm. Faktöriyel ANOVA sonuçları, seçilen demografik ve mesleki özellikler arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılıklar olduğunu göstermiştir. Çalışma, öğretmenlerin sürdürülebilir turizmi ve çevre bilincini teşvik etmede önemli paydaşlar olduğu sonucuna varmış ve okul temelli ve toplum odaklı girişimler yoluyla ekoturizm ve sürdürülebilirlik eğitiminin güçlendirilmesi gerektiğini vurgulamıştır.

Keywords

Düzce, Ekoturizm, Öğretmen, Algı, Anket

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma için etik onay, 16 Mayıs 2024 tarihinde Düzce Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etik Kurulu'ndan alınmıştır (Onay No: 2024/176). Ayrıca, araştırma izni 4 Ocak 2024 tarihinde Düzce İl Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü tarafından verilmiştir (Belge No: E-10240236-605.01-93620782). Çalışmaya katılım tamamen gönüllü olup, veri toplama öncesinde tüm öğretmen katılımcılardan bilgilendirilmiş onam alınmıştır.

Thanks

Yazarlar, ankete gönüllü olarak katılan ve bu araştırmaya zamanlarını ve görüşlerini cömertçe katkıda bulunan öğretmenlere teşekkür ederler.

Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Düzce, Ecotourism, Teacher, Perception, Survey

Supporting Institution

This research received no external funding.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee for Scientific Research and Publication of Düzce University on May 16, 2024 (Approval No: 2024/176). In addition, research permission was granted by the Düzce Provincial Directorate of National Education on January 4, 2024 (Document No: E-10240236-605.01-93620782). Participation in the study was entirely voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all teacher participants prior to data collection.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the teacher participants who voluntarily took part in the survey and generously contributed their time and insights to this research.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Environmentally Sustainable Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Burcu Zeybek ^*
0009-0006-9085-8044
Türkiye

Yaşar Selman Gültekin
0000-0003-0325-4527
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 23, 2026

Submission Date

February 2, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1879646

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA52EU37AR

APA

Zeybek, B., & Gültekin, Y. S. (2026). Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, 14(4), 980-992. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1879646

AMA

1.Zeybek B, Gültekin YS. Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province. DUBİTED. 2026;14(4):980-992. doi:10.29130/dubited.1879646

Chicago

Zeybek, Burcu, and Yaşar Selman Gültekin. 2026. “Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions Among Teachers in Düzce Province”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14 (4): 980-92. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1879646.

EndNote

Zeybek B, Gültekin YS (October 1, 2026) Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14 4 980–992.

IEEE

[1]B. Zeybek and Y. S. Gültekin, “Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province”, DUBİTED, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 980–992, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.29130/dubited.1879646.

ISNAD

Zeybek, Burcu - Gültekin, Yaşar Selman. “Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions Among Teachers in Düzce Province”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14/4 (October 1, 2026): 980-992. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1879646.

JAMA

1.Zeybek B, Gültekin YS. Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province. DUBİTED. 2026;14:980–992.

MLA

Zeybek, Burcu, and Yaşar Selman Gültekin. “Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions Among Teachers in Düzce Province”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 14, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 980-92, doi:10.29130/dubited.1879646.

Vancouver

1.Burcu Zeybek, Yaşar Selman Gültekin. Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province. DUBİTED. 2026 Oct. 1;14(4):980-92. doi:10.29130/dubited.1879646

Abstract

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Thanks

Exploring Ecotourism Perceptions among Teachers in Düzce Province

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite