ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AS A MEANS OF SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Authors

  • Solahuddin Nasution Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
  • Walid Musthafa Sembiring Universitas Medan Area, Medan, Indonesia
  • Femmy I. Dalimunthe Politeknik Pariwisata Medan, Medan, Indonesia
  • Edi Sumarno Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
  • Mujahid Widian Saragih Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
  • Moulita Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v14i3.5723

Keywords:

Environmental Education, Sustainable Tourism, Ecological Awareness, Community Participation, Conservation of Tourist Destinations

Abstract

The development of global and national tourism faces serious challenges related to environmental degradation due to unsustainable mass tourism practices. This study aims to analyze the strategic contribution of environmental education to the development of sustainable and responsible tourism in Indonesia. The research uses a qualitative approach with a systematic literature review method, based on the perspective of environmental sociology and critical education. The data sources consist of scientific journal articles, academic books, policy reports, as well as relevant case studies, collected through databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and DOAJ. The data collection technique is carried out through thematic tracing, while the data analysis is carried out interpretively with a thematic approach. The results of the study show that environmental education is able to increase ecological awareness, form ethical tourism behavior, and strengthen the conservation of local natural resources and culture. Implementation challenges include limited resources, resistance from industry players, and lack of policy support. However, community-based and participatory educational approaches have proven effective in a number of tourist destinations. The conclusions of this study affirm the importance of integrating environmental education in tourism management policies, curricula, and practices to support more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.

References

Ağazade, S. (2023). Does tourism source market structure affect international tourism demand for Antalya? A panel generalized method of moments analysis. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 15(4), 437–450. https://doi.org/10.1080/19407963.2021.1972003

Akadiri, S. Saint, Uzuner, G., Akadiri, A. C., & Lasisi, T. T. (2021). Environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis in the case of tourism island states: The moderating role of globalization. International Journal of Finance &Amp; Economics, 26(2), 2846–2858. https://doi.org/10.1002/IJFE.1938

Andi, A., & Yi, R. (2025). The Impact of Tourism Environment Fit on Tourists’ Psychological Recovery: The Mediating Effect of Perceived Value on Place Attachment. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research, 08(01). https://doi.org/10.47191/IJSSHR/V8-I1-47

Aswita, D., Apriana, E., Herlina, H., Samuda, S., & Abubakar, A. (2023). Ethno Eco-Tourism: Utilizing Nature and Culture for More Sustainable Tourism Development. Sociology and Anthropology, 11(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.13189/SA.2023.110102

Bahij, A. Al, Rizki, A. V., & Santi, A. U. P. (2022). Pengembangan Bahan Ajar Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup Berbasis Problem Based Learning Untuk Mahasiswa PGSD. ELSE (Elementary School Education Journal) : Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran Sekolah Dasar, 6(1), 213. https://doi.org/10.30651/ELSE.V6I1.11799

Buhalis, D., Leung, X. Y., Fan, D., Darcy, S., Chen, G., Xu, F., Wei-Han Tan, G., Nunkoo, R., & Farmaki, A. (2023). Editorial. Tourism Review, 78(2), 293–313. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-04-2023-620/FULL/PDF

Burgoyne, C., & Mearns, K. (2020). Sustainable Tourism/Ecotourism. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71062-4_22-1

Candia, S., Pirlone, F., & Spadaro, I. (2018). Sustainable Development and the Plan for Tourism in Mediterranean Coastal Areas: Case Study of the Region of Liguria, Italy. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 217, 523–534. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP180461

Černá, J., Lejsková, P., Lizbetinová, L., & Matúšová, J. G. (2022). Transformation of Marketing Macro-Economic Environment of Tourism with Emphasis on Changes in Mobility During COVID-19 Pandemic. LOGI – Scientific Journal on Transport and Logistics, 13(1), 186–197. https://doi.org/10.2478/LOGI-2022-0017

Chen, Q., & Wang, L. (2024). Study on the Relationship among Social Capital, Perceived Value and Residents’ Environmental Responsibility Behavior in Tourist Destinations. Academic Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 8(3), 155–163. https://doi.org/10.54097/NX6GRN14

Chen, X., Cui, F., Wong, C. U. I., Zhang, H., & Wang, F. (2023). An investigation into the response of the soil ecological environment to tourist disturbance in Baligou. PeerJ, 11. https://doi.org/10.7717/PEERJ.15780

Choi, Y. (2024). Active Response for Sustainable Tourism. Global Journal of Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.19080/GJTLH.2024.01.555565

Citra, I. P. A., & Pitana, I. G. (2023). Alternative Tourism: Implementasi dan Dampak Negatif Potensial Pariwisata Pesisir di Desa Temukus. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora, 12(3), 412–418. https://doi.org/10.23887/JISH.V12I3.65297

Daeli, N. J. K., & Satato, Y. R. (2024). Environmental Education-Based Beach Tourism Development Model At the Marina Beach Area of Semarang City. International Journal of Educational and Life Sciences, 2(7), 889–904. https://doi.org/10.59890/IJELS.V2I7.2165

Darmawan, I., Rahmatulloh, A., Gunawan, R., Rizal, R., & Manik, V. T. (2023). Sosialisasi Dan Pelatihan Aplikasi Eco-Mapping Dan Green School Program Untuk Mendukung Pelestarian Lingkungan Di Sekolah. Abdi Teknoyasa. https://doi.org/10.23917/ABDITEKNOYASA.V4I2.3244

Ehigiamusoe, K. U., Shahbaz, M., & Vo, X. V. (2023). How Does Globalization Influence the Impact of Tourism on Carbon Emissions and Ecological Footprint? Evidence from African Countries. Journal of Travel Research, 62(5), 1010–1032. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875221113886

Eslami, S., Khalifah, Z., Mardani, A., & Streimikiene, D. (2018). Impact of non-economic factors on residents’ support for sustainable tourism development in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. Economics &Amp; Sociology, 11(4), 181–197. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789X.2018/11-4/12

Font, X., Torres-Delgado, A., Crabolu, G., Palomo Martinez, J., Kantenbacher, J., & Miller, G. (2023). The impact of sustainable tourism indicators on destination competitiveness: the European Tourism Indicator System. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(7), 1608–1630. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1910281

Geng, Y., Wei, Z., Zhang, H., & Maimaituerxun, M. (2020). Analysis and Prediction of the Coupling Coordination Relationship between Tourism and Air Environment: Yangtze River Economic Zone in China as Example. Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1406978

Giampiccoli, A., Mtapuri, O., & Dłuzewska, A. (2020). Investigating the intersection between sustainable tourism and community-based tourism. Tourism, 68(4), 415–433. https://doi.org/10.37741/T.68.4.4

Gidebo, H. (2019). Attitude of Local Communities Towards Sustainable Tourism Development, the Case of Nech Sar National Park, Ethiopia. International Journal of Advanced Research, 7(3), 650–663. https://doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/8684

Gong, J., Detchkhajornjaroensri, P., & Knight, D. W. (2019). Responsible tourism in Bangkok, Thailand: Resident perceptions of Chinese tourist behaviour. International Journal of Tourism Research, 21(2), 221–233. https://doi.org/10.1002/JTR.2256

Guo, Y., Jiang, J., & Li, S. (2019). A Sustainable Tourism Policy Research Review. Sustainability, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/SU11113187

Han, H. (2021). Consumer behavior and environmental sustainability in tourism and hospitality: a review of theories, concepts, and latest research. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(7), 1021–1042. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1903019

Heryanti, E., Matondang, M. N., & Wati, D. A. (2018). Hubungan Antara Partisipasi Siswa Dalam Kegiatan Ekstrakurikuler Pramuka Dengan Sikap Kepedulian Lingkungan Hidup. Biosfer: Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi, 9(2), 54–59. https://doi.org/10.21009/BIOSFERJPB.9-2.8

Huda, I. U., Karsudjono, A. J., & Sugiarto, S. (2024). Analysis of Swamp Buffalo Tourism Potential to Improve Community Welfare in Paharangan Village, South Kalimantan. International Journal of Economics Studies, 1(3), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.59613/PQH11Y95

Ichsan, I. Z., Hermawati, F. M., & Rismayati, A. I. (2024). Pengembangan Lembar Kerja Siswa SD dan SMP berbasis Model Anmadev pada Topik Perubahan Iklim Untuk Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup. Jurnal Konatif: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 2(1), 30–40. https://doi.org/10.62203/JKJIP.V2I1.40

Iman Pribadi, T., Suganda, D., & Saefullah, K. (2021). Pariwisata Berbasis Masyarakat dan Dampaknya Terhadap Sosial,Ekonomi, dan Lingkungan: Tinjauan Pustaka. Jurnal Sosial Sains, 1(2), 107–114. https://doi.org/10.36418/SOSAINS.V1I2.34

Ismail, I. (2020). Pendidikan Karakter Berbasis Religius. Jurnal Al-Qalam: Jurnal Kajian Islam &Amp; Pendidikan, 7(1), 72–81. https://doi.org/10.47435/AL-QALAM.V7I1.182

Jannah, M. Z., Tazkia, S., Mahfudz, I. N., Nuradji, A. D., Hanifah, S. R., & Minggra, R. (2024). Development of Guidelines for Edutourism Facilities through Research Instrument Preparation Based on Ecological Architecture. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1404(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1404/1/012028

Juniasa, I. D. N. (2020). Dampak Kebijakan Pembangunan Pariwisata Pantai Terhadap Apsek Sosial, Ekonomi, Dan Perilaku Masyarakat. Jurnal Sains Sosio Humaniora, 4(2), 887–893. https://doi.org/10.22437/JSSH.V4I2.11551

Kurniawan, R. (2024). Sustainable Tourism Development: A Systematic Literature Review of Best Practices and Emerging Trends. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Approach Sciences and Technologies, 1(2), 97–119. https://doi.org/10.62207/8QSMCG37

Labobar, J., & Kapojos, S. (2023). Literasi Ekologis. Civics Education and Social Science Journal (CESSJ), 5(2), 94–109. https://doi.org/10.32585/CESSJ.V5I2.4602

Li, Y., & Norimah, R. (2024). Impact Analysis of Ecological Environment Pressure on the Sustainable Development of Northwest Tourism Economy. International Journal of Global Economics and Management, 2(3), 599–605. https://doi.org/10.62051/IJGEM.V2N3.70

Liu, L., Kong, L., Feng, Y. X., Qin, D. D., & Mao, N. (2019). Impacts of Tourism Development and Tourist Activities on Environment in Scenic Ecotourism Spots. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 17(4), 9347–9355. https://doi.org/10.15666/AEER/1704_93479355

Machado Toffolo, M., Simoncini, G. A., Marchini, C., Meschini, M., Caroselli, E., Franzellitti, S., Prada, F., & Goffredo, S. (2022). Long-Term Effects of an Informal Education Program on Tourist Environmental Perception. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/FMARS.2022.830085

Maulana, M. I., Putra, R. R., & Permadi, R. W. A. (2021). Development of Universitas Padjadjaran as Educational Tourism Destination. Journal of Tourism Education, 1(1), 39–48. https://doi.org/10.17509/JOTE.V1I1.36955

Mufidah, F. P. N., & Hadianti, A. (2025). Impact of Tourism Activities on Fisheries in Karimunjawa National Park. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1498(1), 012018. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1498/1/012018

Muneenam, U., & Suwannattachote, P. (2024). Creative Tourism in Environmental Issues in Thailand. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 19(5), 1805–1815. https://doi.org/10.18280/IJSDP.190518

Nga, N. T. T., Erdélyi, Év., & Formádi, K. (2018). Investigation Into Responsible Tourism Tours in Budapest, Hungary. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 227, 141–150. https://doi.org/10.2495/ST180141

Nugroho, M. A. (2022). Konsep Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup Sebagai Upaya Penanaman Kesadaran Lingkungan Pada Kelas Iv Min 1 Jombang. Ibtidaiyyah: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 1(2), 16–31. https://doi.org/10.18860/IJPGMI.V1I2.1691

Ostapchuk, I. O., Patsiuk, V. S., & Kazakov, V. L. (2024). Ecological tourism in the industrial environment: A new vision. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1415(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1415/1/012107

Ouattara, B., Pérez-Barahona, A., & Strobl, E. (2019). Dynamic implications of tourism and environmental quality. Journal of Public Economic Theory, 21(2), 241–264. https://doi.org/10.1111/JPET.12330

Ozbey, D. O., Coskun Degirmen, G., Guven, Y., Gozen, E., Hicyakmazer, C. T., Yalız Solmaz, D., & Aytekin, A. (2024). How Does Environmental Education Moderate Local People’s Commitment to the Environment and Intention to Support Tourism Development? Sustainability, 16(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/SU16135646

Pratama, I. W. A., Diwyarthi, N. D. M. S., Jata, I. W., Pinaria, N. W. C., Citrawati, L. P., & Kusumarini, I. (2024). Analysis of Sustainable Tourism Management, Tourist Education, and Environmental Awareness on Visit Intention in Ubud, Bali. West Science Social and Humanities Studies, 2(07), 1155–1165. https://doi.org/10.58812/WSSHS.V2I07.1126

Pratiwi, M. L. E., & Sukmono, F. G. (2018). Pendidikan Multikultur Berkemajuan Dalam Pendidikan Kebidanan. Jurnal Riset Kebidanan Indonesia, 2(1), 7–15. https://doi.org/10.32536/JRKI.V2I1.19

Purnami, W. (2021). Pengelolaan Sampah di Lingkungan Sekolah untuk Meningkatkan Kesadaran Ekologi Siswa. INKUIRI: Jurnal Pendidikan IPA, 9(2), 119. https://doi.org/10.20961/INKUIRI.V9I2.50083

Putri, P. A. S. M., Srihandari, A. A. S. M., Wulandari, I. G. A. A., Darma, I. K., Purnami, A. A. S., & Putra, I. K. (2023). How Sustainable is Tourism in Bali? Study of the Contribution of the Tourism Sector in the Sarbagita Region-Bali. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Business Law and Local Wisdom in Tourism (ICBLT 2022), 277–287. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-93-0_34

Ramchurjee, N. A., & Ramchurjee, E. P. (2019). Tourists Becoming Increasingly Aware of Green Tourism. Green Business, 838–858. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7915-1.CH041

Rashid, W., Shi, J., Rahim, I. U., Dong, S., & Sultan, H. (2020). Issues and Opportunities Associated with Trophy Hunting and Tourism in Khunjerab National Park, Northern Pakistan. Animals, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ANI10040597

Rasyid, S., & Muzaki, M. (2019). Implementasi Konsep Ramah Lingkungan Pada Fasilitas Pendidikan Sekolah Dasar Di Jakarta. UNM Environmental Journals, 2(2), 44. https://doi.org/10.26858/UEJ.V2I2.10086

Rico, A., Martínez-Blanco, J., Montlleó, M., Rodríguez, G., Tavares, N., Arias, A., & Oliver-Solà, J. (2019). Carbon footprint of tourism in Barcelona. Tourism Management, 70, 491–504. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TOURMAN.2018.09.012

Rodiana, A. A. (2023). Faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi akses informasi pendidikan seksual di SMK PGRI I Kota Sukabumi. Journal of Public Health Innovation, 4(01), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.34305/JPHI.V4I01.933

Rumanti, A. A., Amelia, M., Rizaldi, A. S., & Supratman, N. A. (2024). Edu-Tourism Through Digital Literacy Based on Science and Technology in Community Empowerment Efforts to Improve the Economy in Banyuwangi Regency. Metris: Jurnal Sains Dan Teknologi, 25(02), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.25170/METRIS.V25I02.5423

Rusmaniah, R., Putra, M. A. H., Handy, M. R. N., Ilhami, M. R., & Mutiani, M. (2023). Implementasi Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup Pada Taman Konservasi Anggrek Tahura Sultan Adam. Anterior Jurnal, 22(2), 47–52. https://doi.org/10.33084/ANTERIOR.V22I2.4616

Sabardila, A., Budiargo, A. D., Wiratmoko, G., Himawan, J. A., Triutami, A., Intansari, A., Setiyowati, D., Cahyani, D. H. T., Handayani, R., & Suistri, S. (2020). Pembentukan Karakter Peduli Lingkungan melalui Kegiatan Penghijauan pada Siswa MIM Derasan Sempu, Boyolali. Buletin KKN Pendidikan, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.23917/BKKNDIK.V1I2.10763

Samosir, C. M., & Boiliu, F. M. (2022). Pendidikan Agama Kristen Sebagai Upaya Menjawab Tantangan Krisis Lingkungan Hidup. Edukatif : Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 4(1), 815–826. https://doi.org/10.31004/EDUKATIF.V4I1.1761

Sayeda, T. (2017). The Effects of Mass Tourism: an Evaluative Study on Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 22(05), 31–36. https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-2205023136

Sayuti, R. H. (2023). Community Readiness in Implementing Sustainable Tourism on Small Islands: Evidence from Lombok, Indonesia. Sustainability, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/SU15129725

Sharma, R. (2021). Tourism and Community Perception: Quest of Sustainability from Happiness Paradigm. Journal of Tourism &Amp; Adventure, 4(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3126/JOTA.V4I1.40635

Sirih, M. S., Hasyim, M., Nasruddin, N., & Ahsan, A. (2024). Adaptasi Kebijakan Pengelolaan Wisata untuk Mewujudkan Pariwisata Berkelanjutan di Pantai Dato. Journal of Tourism and Creativity, 8(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.19184/JTC.V8I1.44187

Suyono, P. H., & Nugraha, R. N. (2024). Environmental Impact on Sustainability in The Old City of Jakarta Tourism Destinations. West Science Social and Humanities Studies, 2(03), 444–457. https://doi.org/10.58812/WSSHS.V2I03.732

Tian, Y. (2023). Study on the impact of carbon emission pollution on urban tourism environment. Engineering Reports, 5(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/ENG2.12641

Widari, D. A. D. S. (2022). Interaksi dan Dampak Sosial Budaya dalam Pengembangan Pariwisata. Jurnal Sosiologi USK (Media Pemikiran &Amp; Aplikasi), 16(1), 42–55. https://doi.org/10.24815/JSU.V16I1.25608

Zhao, J., & Li, S. M. (2018). The Impact of Tourism Development on the Environment in China. Acta Scientifica Malaysia, 2(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.26480/ASM.01.2018.01.04

Downloads

Published

2025-08-06

How to Cite

Solahuddin Nasution, Walid Musthafa Sembiring, Femmy I. Dalimunthe, Edi Sumarno, Mujahid Widian Saragih, & Moulita. (2025). ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AS A MEANS OF SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT. SOSIOEDUKASI : JURNAL ILMIAH ILMU PENDIDIKAN DAN SOSIAL, 14(3), 1153–1164. https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v14i3.5723