Environmental education based on tourism activity: a possibility

Abstract

The present study deals with environmental education based on tourism activity seeking sustainability. This approach proposes the use of tourism activities in a region known as “borderline towns” (Western Paraná State), as propagating vehicles of sustainable practices for the conservation of resources. Sustainability is treated based on four pillars: environmental, economic, social and cultural, involving natural, economical and socio-cultural resources. What is sought, through the use of tourism’s natural resources, is to fundament the wide-scope environmental education practice, taking into consideration local inhabitants and tourists. Economical sustainability is proposed by formatting the regionalized tourism’s activity, in other words, involving several towns. Social and cultural sustainability is proposed by searching the aspects of the region’s culture, dealing with such elements as references in the relationship balance between the local population and tourists. At the center of this approach, environmental education is treated as an alternative aiming at everyone’s commitment, benefiting sustainability.