National Policy of Environmental Education and Ecotourism: Possible Intersections and Connections with the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Ecotourism is correlated, among other aspects, with the National Policy of Environmental Education and consequently, with Environmental Education; equally, it also aligns with the statement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This trio of aspects relates in terms of similarity of intentions, and the interactivity among the elements of this triad allows all these identified parts to mutually reinforce and, thus, be better achieved in the impacts related to the planning and organization of tourist activities and services. The aim of this essay was to demonstrate, through a comparative study as a methodological procedure, the possible intersections and articulations of intentions in the proposed triad. However, by listening to this set of statements that compose its objectives and constitutions, they further highlight a desire, as to how a hegemonic Western thought acts to reduce tensions and ensure good governance, rather than the timid expression of reality, especially regarding the contexts of Latin American nations; this is because their practical implementation depends on the goodwill of each leader and hardly reduces regional asymmetries in the context of various and different inequalities. Therefore, concerning ecotourism activities, for the desired "sustainable tourism" to be achieved, it is necessary to consider the presence of Environmental Education in tourism projects and, by extension, to have the materialization of the Sustainable Development Goals as the scope of actions, emphasizing the participation of culturally diverse communities in the forefront of this process for the possible development of more effective public policies.