From the Ecocentric and Anthropocentric Perspectives, a Survey of Future Tourism
Entrepreneurs' Attitudes toward Environmental Issues: Sample of Akdeniz University

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol.5, pp.139-143, 2015 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

Environment is a value playing a key role in the existence of all living things. The presence of a healthy

environment is important for tourism entrepreneurs of both today and tomorrow. This research was conducted

with 100 students who study at Alanya Faculty of Business, Alanya Chamber of Commerce & Industry Vocational

School and Gazipasa Vocational School of Akdeniz University in the spring semester of the 2013-2014 academic

year. In the preparation of the questionnaire, the ecocentric and anthropocentric approach scales developed by

Bjerke & Katlenborn (1999) and Aytaç & Öngen (2012) were used. As a result of the study, it was determined

that participants exhibit ecocentric attitudes in a general sense. In contrast, among the participants there are also

individuals with anthropocentric attitudes. Female participants constitute the majority of these individuals. The

most striking findings of this study are that the participants are rather disinterested in environmental issues, most

of their support for the protection of the environment remains as an idea, and this issue can not be transformed

into behavior. New application-oriented courses should be organized in the areas of environmental protection &

environmental sensitivity to ensure an increase in environmental awareness of young tourism entrepreneurs

.