Students’ Perceptions of Sustainable Tourism Trends in Indonesia
Abstract
This study aims to analyze students’ perceptions of sustainable tourism development in Indonesia, focusing on the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental dimensions. Using a quantitative survey method, data were collected from 128 students across several universities in Indonesia through online and offline questionnaires. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed to identify perception patterns and awareness levels toward sustainable tourism principles. The results indicate that students generally have a positive perception of sustainable tourism. The economic aspect gained the highest mean score (2.10), reflecting optimism toward tourism’s role in improving livelihoods and supporting regional economic growth. The socio-cultural dimension (mean 2.24) showed positive attitudes accompanied by awareness of social and cultural risks. The environmental dimension (mean 2.20) revealed that students appreciate tourism’s potential to foster environmental awareness while acknowledging possible ecological degradation. These findings suggest that Indonesian students possess a balanced and critical understanding of sustainability principles and highlight the importance of integrating sustainability education into tourism curricula to prepare responsible future professionals.
References
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Clark, M., Kang, B., & Calhoun, J. R. (2023). Green meets social media: young travelers’ perceptions of hotel environmental sustainability. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 6(1), 36–51. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-03-2021-0062
Dibra, M., & Oelfke, T. (2013). Students’ Perceptions and Attitudes toward Sustainable Tourism Development in Albania. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n10p706
Gibson, J. J. (2014). The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception. Psychology Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315740218
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Hales, R., & Jennings, G. (2017). Transformation for sustainability: The role of complexity in tourism students’ understanding of sustainable tourism. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 21, 185–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2017.08.001
Hassan, H. M. K. (2021). Role of Social Networking Sites on Shaping Students’ Attitude Towards Ecotourism: A Study on University Students of Bangladesh. In Technology Application in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Bangladesh (pp. 127–145). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2434-6_8
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Horng, J.-S., Liu, C.-H., Chou, S.-F., Yu, T.-Y., Fang, Y.-P., & Huang, Y.-C. (2022). Student’s perceptions of sharing platforms and digital learning for sustainable behaviour and value changes. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 31, 100380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2022.100380
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Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing Management. Pearson.
Liu, Z. (2003). Sustainable Tourism Development: A Critique. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 11(6), 459–475. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580308667216
Mínguez, C., Martínez-Hernández, C., & Yubero, C. (2021). Higher education and the sustainable tourism pedagogy: Are tourism students ready to lead change in the post pandemic era? Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 29, 100329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2021.100329
Ráthonyi, G. (2013). Influence of social media on tourism – especially among students of the University of Debrecen. Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce, 7(1), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.19041/APSTRACT/2013/1/18
Rezapouraghdam, H., Alipour, H., Kilic, H., & Akhshik, A. (2022a). Education for sustainable tourism development: an exploratory study of key learning factors. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 14(4), 384–392. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-03-2022-0036
Rezapouraghdam, H., Alipour, H., Kilic, H., & Akhshik, A. (2022b). Education for sustainable tourism development: an exploratory study of key learning factors. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 14(4), 384–392. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-03-2022-0036
Rosyidi, M. I. (2021). UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS A CAREER IN TOURISM INDUSTRY: THE CASE OF INDONESIA. Jurnal Manajemen Dan Kewirausahaan, 23(1), 40–51. https://doi.org/10.9744/jmk.23.1.40-51
Ruhanen, L., & Bowles, L. (2020). Student Perspectives of Responsible Tourism Behaviour: The Role of Tourism Education. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education, 32(4), 255–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/10963758.2019.1688160
Saarinen, J. (2021). Is Being Responsible Sustainable in Tourism? Connections and Critical Differences. Sustainability, 13(12), 6599. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126599
Schönherr, S., & Pikkemaat, B. (2024). Young peoples’ environmentally sustainable tourism attitude and responsible behavioral intention. Tourism Review, 79(4), 939–952. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-01-2023-0022
Sfodera, F., Cain, L. N., & Di Leo, A. (2024). Is technology everywhere? Exploring Generation Z’s perceptions of sustainable tourism in developing countries. International Hospitality Review, 38(1), 28–53. https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-05-2022-0025
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Sultan, M. T., Sharmin, F., Badulescu, A., Stiubea, E., & Xue, K. (2020). Travelers’ Responsible Environmental Behavior towards Sustainable Coastal Tourism: An Empirical Investigation on Social Media User-Generated Content. Sustainability, 13(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010056
UNWTO. (2007). A Practical Guide to Tourism Destination Management. World Tourism Organization.
World Tourism Organization. (2004). Indicators for the Sustainable Development for Tourism Destination. World Tourism Organization.
Yamin, M., Darmawan, A., & Rosyadi, S. (2021). Analysis of Indonesian Tourism Potentials Through the Sustainable Tourism Perspective in the New Normal Era. Jurnal Hubungan Internasional, 10(1), 44–58. https://doi.org/10.18196/jhi.v10i1.10500
Agyapong, E., & Yuan, J. (2022). Social Media Impact on Tourism Destination Decision: Evidence from International Students in China. Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 12(12), 2055–2080. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojapps.2022.1212143
Akinci, Z., Yurcu, G., & Kasalak, M. A. (2018). The Mediating Role of Perception in the Relationship between Expectation and Satisfaction in Terms of Sustainability in Tourism Education. Sustainability, 10(7), 2253. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072253
Amerta, I. M. S. (2018). Sustainable tourism development. International Research Journal of Management, IT and Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.21744/irjmis.v5i2.674
Arrobas, F., Ferreira, J., Brito-Henriques, E., & Fernandes, A. (2020). Measuring tourism and environmental sciences students’ attitudes towards sustainable tourism. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 27, 100273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2020.100273
Bowan, D., & Dallam, G. (2020). Building bridges: overview of an international sustainable tourism education model. Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, 20(3), 202–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313220.2020.1797609
Briassoulis, H. (2001). Sustainable Development and its Indicators: Through a (Planner’s) Glass Darkly. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 44(3), 409–427. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640560120046142
Bruner, J. S. (1957). On perceptual readiness. Psychological Review, 64(2), 123–152. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0043805
Buffa, F. (2015). Young Tourists and Sustainability. Profiles, Attitudes, and Implications for Destination Strategies. Sustainability, 7(10), 14042–14062. https://doi.org/10.3390/su71014042
Camargo, B. A., & Gretzel, U. (2017). What do tourism students know about sustainability and sustainable tourism? An exploratory study of Latin American students. Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313220.2017.1294038
Choi, H. C., & Sirakaya, E. (2006). Sustainability indicators for managing community tourism. Tourism Management, 27(6), 1274–1289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.05.018
Clark, M., Kang, B., & Calhoun, J. R. (2023). Green meets social media: young travelers’ perceptions of hotel environmental sustainability. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 6(1), 36–51. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-03-2021-0062
Dibra, M., & Oelfke, T. (2013). Students’ Perceptions and Attitudes toward Sustainable Tourism Development in Albania. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n10p706
Gibson, J. J. (2014). The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception. Psychology Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315740218
Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Center for Responsible Travel, & Destination Stewardship Center. (2024). Destination Stewardship Report.
Gregory, R. L. (1997). Knowledge in perception and illusion. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 352(1358), 1121–1127. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.1997.0095
Hales, R., & Jennings, G. (2017). Transformation for sustainability: The role of complexity in tourism students’ understanding of sustainable tourism. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 21, 185–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2017.08.001
Hassan, H. M. K. (2021). Role of Social Networking Sites on Shaping Students’ Attitude Towards Ecotourism: A Study on University Students of Bangladesh. In Technology Application in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Bangladesh (pp. 127–145). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2434-6_8
Homer, S. T., & Kanagasapapathy, G. D. (2024). Gen Z perceptions of sustainable tourism: a scale development study. Tourism Recreation Research, 49(6), 1381–1396. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2023.2185734
Horng, J.-S., Liu, C.-H., Chou, S.-F., Yu, T.-Y., Fang, Y.-P., & Huang, Y.-C. (2022). Student’s perceptions of sharing platforms and digital learning for sustainable behaviour and value changes. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 31, 100380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2022.100380
Hunter, C., & Green, H. (1995). Tourism and the Environment: A Sustainable Relationship? Routledge.
Hunter, C. J. (1995). On the need to re‐conceptualise sustainable tourism development. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 3(3), 155–165. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669589509510720
Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing Management. Pearson.
Liu, Z. (2003). Sustainable Tourism Development: A Critique. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 11(6), 459–475. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580308667216
Mínguez, C., Martínez-Hernández, C., & Yubero, C. (2021). Higher education and the sustainable tourism pedagogy: Are tourism students ready to lead change in the post pandemic era? Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 29, 100329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2021.100329
Ráthonyi, G. (2013). Influence of social media on tourism – especially among students of the University of Debrecen. Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce, 7(1), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.19041/APSTRACT/2013/1/18
Rezapouraghdam, H., Alipour, H., Kilic, H., & Akhshik, A. (2022a). Education for sustainable tourism development: an exploratory study of key learning factors. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 14(4), 384–392. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-03-2022-0036
Rezapouraghdam, H., Alipour, H., Kilic, H., & Akhshik, A. (2022b). Education for sustainable tourism development: an exploratory study of key learning factors. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 14(4), 384–392. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-03-2022-0036
Rosyidi, M. I. (2021). UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS A CAREER IN TOURISM INDUSTRY: THE CASE OF INDONESIA. Jurnal Manajemen Dan Kewirausahaan, 23(1), 40–51. https://doi.org/10.9744/jmk.23.1.40-51
Ruhanen, L., & Bowles, L. (2020). Student Perspectives of Responsible Tourism Behaviour: The Role of Tourism Education. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education, 32(4), 255–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/10963758.2019.1688160
Saarinen, J. (2021). Is Being Responsible Sustainable in Tourism? Connections and Critical Differences. Sustainability, 13(12), 6599. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126599
Schönherr, S., & Pikkemaat, B. (2024). Young peoples’ environmentally sustainable tourism attitude and responsible behavioral intention. Tourism Review, 79(4), 939–952. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-01-2023-0022
Sfodera, F., Cain, L. N., & Di Leo, A. (2024). Is technology everywhere? Exploring Generation Z’s perceptions of sustainable tourism in developing countries. International Hospitality Review, 38(1), 28–53. https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-05-2022-0025
Streimikiene, D., Svagzdiene, B., Jasinskas, E., & Simanavicius, A. (2021). Sustainable tourism development and competitiveness: The systematic literature review. Sustainable Development, 29(1), 259–271. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2133
Sultan, M. T., Sharmin, F., Badulescu, A., Stiubea, E., & Xue, K. (2020). Travelers’ Responsible Environmental Behavior towards Sustainable Coastal Tourism: An Empirical Investigation on Social Media User-Generated Content. Sustainability, 13(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010056
UNWTO. (2007). A Practical Guide to Tourism Destination Management. World Tourism Organization.
World Tourism Organization. (2004). Indicators for the Sustainable Development for Tourism Destination. World Tourism Organization.
Yamin, M., Darmawan, A., & Rosyadi, S. (2021). Analysis of Indonesian Tourism Potentials Through the Sustainable Tourism Perspective in the New Normal Era. Jurnal Hubungan Internasional, 10(1), 44–58. https://doi.org/10.18196/jhi.v10i1.10500
Authors
Prasetyo, A., Hidayah, A. N., & Kurniasari, K. K. (2026). Students’ Perceptions of Sustainable Tourism Trends in Indonesia. International Journal of Sustainable Competitiveness on Tourism, 5(01), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.34013/ijscot.v5i01.2385
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