Towards management of sustainable tourism development in coastal destinations of the Bohai Rim: insights from a tourism carrying capacity analysis
Ni Xu, Li Hu
Abstract
The excessive growth and competition of tourism activities often lead to public unhappiness and environmental degradation, and these negative influences may undermine the very basis for destination’s attractiveness and the tourism activity itself. In this study, we proposed a methodology that showcases how to measure and evaluate tourism carrying capacity for better management and planning of sustainable tourism. In particular, A Pressure-State-Response framework was firstly used to establish the indicator system, and to illustrate the causal linkages between indicators and components. The index of tourism carrying capacity was then developed as a means for measuring and assessing the tourism development performance in coastal cities in the Bohai Rim. On this basis, the levels of tourism carrying capacity were evaluated and analyzed, and impacts and vulnerabilities in relation to sustainable tourism were identified, proposing development strategy or roadmap for local sustainable tourism. This case study demonstrates the application of the concept of tourism carrying capacity in management practice, highlighting its important role in planning tourism destination development and management of its negative impacts. Conclusively, tourism carrying capacity can be a promising policy tool under the integrative management context to make decisions about measures to control tourism development and growth, and to indicate the pathways and directions that sustainable tourism should follow. By quantifying limits and trade-offs, tourism carrying capacity analysis enable stakeholders to make data-driven decisions for responsible tourism growth. Clinical trial number : Not applicable.