Island tourism carrying capacity in the UNESCO Site Laurisilva of Madeira

• Autor(es): Mota, Luís ; Franco, Mara ; Santos, Rossana
• Data: 2021
• Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.13/5170
• Origem: DigitUMa - Repositório da Universidade da Madeira
• Assunto(s): Carrying capacity; Islands; Laurisilva; Madeira (Portugal); Sustainable management; Tourism; UNESCO; .; Escola Superior de Tecnologias e Gestão
• Tipo de Documento: Artigo científico
• Idioma: Inglês
• Contribuidor(es): DigitUMa

Descrição

The Laurisilva of Madeira is an important natural resource as well as a location for nature-based tourism and recreational activities. Despite UNESCO’s concerns and recommendations for assessing tourism capacity, the local population is perceived as overusing this resource; yet precisely how many tourists visit its most popular areas remains unknown. Tourism carrying capacity (TCC) was assessed on two Rabaçal trails using a specific formulation relating physical aspects to environmental correction factors. Tourism carrying capacity was found to be below theoretical limits, and trail access was not restricted despite being a major concern in natural resource management.