Student social representations of environmental tourism

Relevance of the research: the Relevance of this article is in the need to analyze student ideas about environmental tourism, as tourism acts as a form of open cultural exchange, borrowing patterns of behavior and changing cultural stereotypes, expanding the boundaries of socio-cultural interaction in all spheres of human activity. The values of modern students over the past decades are in a state of continuous transformation, so in these circumstances, it is important to form the values of the younger generation by all available means. One of the main means of forming environmental values can be ecotourism, which is currently the most developing industry. The aim of the study is to analyze the social representations of students about ecological tourism. Research methods: the Leading method for the study of this problem is the method of questioning, which allows you to highlight the features of eco-tourism and analyze the attitude of students to eco-tourism. Research results: the article considers environmental tourism as a nature-oriented tourism, associated with communication with nature, aimed at studying interesting natural objects and phenomena. Types of ecological tourism and their features are analyzed. Student ideas about environmental tourism are considered. The novelty and originality of the study lies in the fact that the types of ecological tourism are highlighted. It is revealed that most of the students have never participated in eco-tourism. It is shown that the majority of students are attracted by ecotourism, but only as recreation. The type of employment in environmental tourism is analyzed. It is revealed that the majority of students prefer adventure and cognitive activities; the least students are interested in sports, scientific activities. The attractive and repulsive sides of environmental tourism are shown. To attractive sides of it students refer: relaxation in nature, enjoying the beauty of natural objects, familiarization with the new. To negative aspects of ecotourism, students refer: poor organization, possible spontaneity, and discomfort from staying in nature for a long time. Practical significance: the data Obtained in this work can be used in environmental psychology, valeology, social psychology, pedagogy, age psychology, sociology, as well as for further theoretical development of this issue.