PERCEPTION OF TOURISM STUDENTS ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN BOGOTa

Sustainability is considered an essential ele-ment to improve the quality of the tourism. Thus, the preservation of the environment has received considerable critical attention from a tourism perspective. In this context, research has begun to pay attention to the content and delivery of sustainable tourism education, little is known about what students actually know and feel regarding sustainability. This study describes the knowledge and attitudes of students towards sustainable tourism. The focus was on Bogota, where tourism has caused serious negative impacts and where sustainability knowledge and skills are most needed to protect fragile natural and cultural resources. The results show that, although most tourism students think that sustainable tourism is important, they have limited knowledge of sustainability principles and technical aspects related to sustainable tourism.