Integrating Environmental Education into Eco-Tourism Operations in Selected Tourist Sites in Cross River State.

This study examined the integration of environmental education (EE) into eco-tourism operations in selected tourist sites in Cross River State, Nigeria, with particular focus on tour guides’ environmental knowledge and management support programmes. Anchored in the growing recognition of eco-tourism as a pathway to sustainable development, the study adopted a correlational research design. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 250 respondents from eco-tourism host communities. Data were collected using a validated 28-item structured questionnaire with reliability coefficients ranging from .69 to .89 (Cronbach’s alpha). Simple linear regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed a statistically significant negative relationship between tour guides’ environmental knowledge and the integration of EE into eco-tourism operations (R² = .112, p < .001), indicating a gap between knowledge acquisition and practical application. Conversely, management support programmes were not found to significantly predict EE integration (R² = .000, p > .05). The results suggest that while human capacity—particularly the knowledge base of tour guides—plays a critical role in eco-tourism operations, institutional and structural mechanisms may constrain effective translation of knowledge into practice. The study concludes that strengthening capacity-building initiatives, institutional policies, and practical implementation frameworks is essential for embedding environmental education into eco-tourism operations and enhancing sustainability outcomes in Cross River State.