Comportamento ecológico para o turismo sustentável na Ilha do Combu: um estudo no contexto amazônico

Abstract

The Amazon, as the largest tropical biome on the planet and one of the main global climate regulators, faces critical challenges such as deforestation, unregulated exploitation, and low levels of socioeconomic development. In this context, sustainable tourism emerges as a strategic alternative by aligning environmental conservation, local development, and cultural appreciation. This research aimed to understand the relationship between tourists' individual values and their ecological behaviors in the Brazilian Legal Amazon, proposing and validating the Ecological Behavior Scale for Sustainable Tourism (ECSTS). Using a mixedmethods approach and two pilot studies, the collected data allowed for the segmentation of tourists into four behavioral profiles: Engaged (13.71%), Aware (21.77%), Sensitive (64.1%), and Indifferent (0.41%). The results confirmed that self-transcendence values, such as universalism and benevolence, positively influence the adoption of sustainable practices. Engaged tourists showed a high willingness to invest in sustainable practices, while Sensitive tourists face economic barriers, adopting pro-sustainability behaviors only when the costs are equivalent to conventional options. Aware tourists want to be sustainable in their travels but feel constrained by practical or financial issues when trying to meet their needs, and Indifferent tourists require effective educational campaigns that connect sustainability with tangible benefits. The contributions of this study stand out locally by highlighting the potential of sustainable tourism to conserve biodiversity and promote socioeconomic development. Globally, the proposed bidimensional model, with the ECSTS as a validated instrument, presents itself as a replicable tool in vulnerable ecosystems such as the Congo Basin and Southeast Asia. The research recommends practical actions such as economic incentives, the development of affordable tourism packages, educational campaigns, and investments in sustainable infrastructure to increase the engagement of different tourist profiles. In conclusion, sustainable tourism, guided by human values and effective public policies, can be a powerful tool for socio-environmental transformation. The conservation of the Amazon—home to 10% of global biodiversity and responsible for absorbing billions of tons of carbon dioxide annually—is essential for global climate balance. The study reinforces the need for collaborative efforts between governments, communities, the private sector, and tourists to ensure a positive legacy for future generations.