From the Ecocentric and Anthropocentric Perspectives, a Survey of Future Tourism Entrepreneurs' Attitudes toward Environmental Issues: Sample of Akdeniz University
Furkan BALTACI, Åževket YÄ°RÄ°K, Seyid Ahmet Sargin, Ahmet Yumusak

Abstract
Environment is a value playing a key role in the existence of all living things. The presence of a healthy environment is important for tourism entrepreneurs of both today and tomorrow. This research was conducted with 100 students who study at Alanya Faculty of Business, Alanya Chamber of Commerce & Industry Vocational School and Gazipasa Vocational School of Akdeniz University in the spring semester of the 2013-2014 academic year. In the preparation of the questionnaire, the ecocentric and anthropocentric approach scales developed by Bjerke & Katlenborn (1999) and Aytaç & Öngen (2012) were used. As a result of the study, it was determined that participants exhibit ecocentric attitudes in a general sense. In contrast, among the participants there are also individuals with anthropocentric attitudes. Female participants constitute the majority of these individuals. The most striking findings of this study are that the participants are rather disinterested in environmental issues, most of their support for the protection of the environment remains as an idea, and this issue can not be transformed into behavior. New application-oriented courses should be organized in the areas of environmental protection & environmental sensitivity to ensure an increase in environmental awareness of young tourism entrepreneurs.

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