Percepciones y limitaciones en la implementación del ecoturismo educativo en escuelas rurales.: evidencia del sur de Colombia.

Mauricio  Murcia Soto; Esther Julia  Olaya Marín; Miguel Ignacio  Barrios Peña

doi:10.15332/wq3kex64

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2026)

Published 2025-12-01

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ARTICLES PRODUCT OF THE INVESTIGATION

Perceptions and Limitations in the Implementation of Educational Ecotourism in Rural Schools: Evidence from Southern Colombia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15332/wq3kex64

Mauricio Murcia Soto Universidad de la Amazonía

Esther Julia Olaya Marín Universidad de la Amazonía

Miguel Ignacio Barrios Peña Universidad del Tolima

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Abstract
References

Objective: To analyze the perceptions, knowledge, and obstacles faced by teachers at a rural school in Palestina (Huila, Colombia) regarding the curricular integration of educational ecotourism as a pedagogical strategy that promotes environmental sustainability and territorial belonging. Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational study conducted with 50 teachers. A structured questionnaire was applied, and data were processed using chi-square tests, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis. Results: The level of knowledge about educational ecotourism was found to be significantly associated with teachers' prior training, perception of environmental benefits, and existing institutional barriers. Three differentiated teacher profiles were identified: those who actively apply educational ecotourism strategies, those who show interest but face implementation limitations, and those with low familiarity with the concept. Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen differentiated teacher training according to the identified profiles, increase institutional support, and promote contextualized curricular integration of educational ecotourism. These findings provide fundamental inputs for designing educational policies and pedagogical practices with a territorial approach in rural contexts.

keywords: Educational ecotourism, Environmental education, Rural teachers, Educational sustainability, Curriculum integration, Institutional barriers

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Murcia Soto, M., Olaya Marín, E. J. ., & Barrios Peña, M. I. . (2025). Perceptions and Limitations in the Implementation of Educational Ecotourism in Rural Schools: Evidence from Southern Colombia. Revista Interamericana De Investigación Educación Y Pedagogía RIIEP, 19(1), 177-203. https://doi.org/10.15332/wq3kex64

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Perceptions and Limitations in the Implementation of Educational Ecotourism in Rural Schools: Evidence from Southern Colombia

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