Abstract

MARIN-ALFARO, Anyerline  and  NUNEZ-MASIS, Luis Carlos. Bachelor's degree in Ecotourism and Licenciate Degree in Ecotourism Management at the University of Costa Rica: Sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of graduates. Rev. Actual. Investig. Educ [online]. 2020, vol.20, n.2, pp.21-51. ISSN 1409-4703.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/aie.v20i2.41640.

It aims to identify sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of graduates of the Bachelor's degree in Ecotourism and Bachelor's Degree in Ecotourism Management at the University of Costa Rica. This research follows a quantitative approach and a descriptive scope. The population under study includes 728 graduates of the Eco-Tourism Bachelor and the Tourism Management Licentiate, since the first graduation in 1995 until the year 2014. A sample of 251 graduate people was analyzed, using a probability sampling, stratified by headquarter and branch. The information was collected through an online questionnaire which was applied between May and October 2015. The article presents the characteristics of a population never analyzed, so it is of historical interest for the profession. Among the main findings it was found that 82,9% of the population is employed and a 12,4% is still studying, only. The unemployment percentage for these professionals is a 4,8%. The graduated people have job stability. This academic option has had a positive impact on the most remote areas of the country, where tourism is an engine for local development. Opportunities must be offered in the short term for these students to obtain a licentiate’s degree, as a way to face underemployment and improve job insertion.

Keywords : occupations; employment; ecotourism; local development; higher education.

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