Abstract
One of the main priorities of the higher education system is the formation of competencies that allow students to effectively use their theoretical knowledge in professional and everyday activities, in addition to mastering it. Among them, geographical competence occupies a special place, since it includes understanding spatial patterns, working with cartographic materials, analyzing natural and socio-economic landscapes, and ecological-geographical thinking. However, in traditional educational practice, the development of this competence is often limited to theoretical content, and practical methods are not used at a sufficient level. In this regard, ecotourism is of topical importance as an innovative resource in the formation of students' geographical competence. The purpose of the study is to theoretically substantiate ecotourism as an effective means of forming geographical competence of students of higher educational institutions. As a methodological basis, an analysis of scientific literature, a comparative analysis of foreign experience. The results of the study showed that the introduction of ecotourism into educational practice significantly increases the geographical competence of students. In this process, students master such important practical skills as working with cartographic materials, orienteering, analyzing natural and cultural landscapes, and conducting environmental monitoring. Foreign experience confirms the effectiveness of ecotourism for educational purposes. Based on this experience, the study found that the unique natural areas of Kazakhstan - Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Bayanaul, Katonkaragay - provide students with great opportunities for implementing experiential learning.
The scientific novelty of the work lies in the justification that ecotourism is an innovative educational resource that allows for the comprehensive formation of students' geographical competence, combining theoretical knowledge and practical activity. The analysis conducted in the article proves that the systematic introduction of ecotourism into university curricula will not only improve the professional training of future specialists, but also allow them to develop their environmental culture and form responsible individuals in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.