WIUT STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ABOUT THE POSSIBLE MEASURES TO PREVENT THE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY TOURISTS
Abstract
The following study explores the perspectives of students from the Westminster International University in Tashkent about ecological challenges triggered by global tourism and their attitudes toward possible preventive measures. Although host countries derive economic benefits from the tourism industry, they are frequently facing the problem of over-tourism, which poses a risk of environmental degradation. This paper aimed to identify WIUT students’ views regarding the strategies of sustainable tourism. This paper performed a mixed-method approach to data collection, where 40 students were surveyed online, and 5 were interviewed. Findings revealed that most of the respondents recognize the ecological threats, and believe that the government bears a primary responsibility in this matter. Nevertheless, they doubt the effectiveness of educational campaigns, supporting a strict regulatory policy. The current research spotted a critical and pragmatic perception of sustainable tourism among students, underlining the need for a holistic approach to resolving the existing issue.
Keywords
sustainable tourism, environmental degradation, WIUT students, preventive measures, ecological balance, tourism impact
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