Exploring Youth Perspectives on Ecotourism in the San Bernardino Islands: Insights into Sustainability and Conservation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v10i4.3521Keywords:
environmental ethics, responsible tourism, sustainable development, sustainable tourism, youth engagementAbstract
Youth engagement in ecotourism plays a crucial role in advancing sustainability, yet their perspectives remain underexplored, particularly in culturally and ecologically significant settings in the Philippines. This study examines how youth from Bulusan, Sorsogon in the Philippines experience and interpret ecotourism in the San Bernardino Islands (SBI), a remote and relatively unexplored ecotourism site. Using a psychological phenomenological approach, the lived experiences of ten youth participants aged 15 to 24 were investigated through in-depth interviews and with results thematically analyzed. Findings reveal that youth conceptualize ecotourism as a purposeful and reflective practice, anchored in environmental responsibility, cultural pride, and ethical decision-making. Themes such as redefining adventure with purpose, active environmental participation, appreciation for untouched nature, and ecotourism as cultural continuity emerged as central to their narratives. The study highlights a generational shift toward value-driven and community-oriented tourism practices. By foregrounding the voices of youth in Bulusan, this study deepens understanding of how local identities shape sustainability and ecotourism practices in the SBI.
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