IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/vrs/ejothr/v11y2021i2p253-266n3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Social Carrying Capacity in Island Destinations: Interpreting Visitors’ Opinions in Madeira Island

Author

Listed:
  • Mota Luís

    (Universidade Europeia, Lisbon, Portugal & Centro de Investigação, Desenvolvimento e Inovação em Turismo (CiTUR Madeira))

  • Franco Mara

    (University of Madeira, Campus of Penteada, Funchal, Portugal & Centro de Investigação, Desenvolvimento e Inovação em Turismo (CiTUR Madeira))

  • Santos Rossana

    (University of Madeira, Campus of Penteada, Funchal, Portugal & Centro de Investigação, Desenvolvimento e Inovação em Turismo (CiTUR Madeira))

Abstract

Social carrying capacity is an additional dimension of tourism carrying capacity. This paper aims to provide further understanding beyond physical values describing carrying capacity for a touristic site on an island destination, namely, the Laurisilva of Madeira. This UNESCO site is the major tourist attraction on the island. The component of social carrying capacity was added to assess satisfaction levels registered in 481 completed questionnaires and find relevant factors reflecting social values and enjoyment while visiting the site. Nonparametric tests were performed to study the relationship between sociodemographic variables and satisfaction measurements. Statistically, cleanliness and natural conditions, trail amenities, trail conditions, environmental conditions, and pollution levels were the five dimensions relevant to gauging satisfaction related to visiting the natural heritage site. Social carrying capacity showed an average satisfaction of 71%, but mean scores concluded visitors to be only slightly satisfied and differences in satisfaction levels regarding the education level of respondents. These are essential dimensions for good site management and for planning management actions for the island destination. This method of analysis is feasible for site management and is complementary to the corresponding physical thresholds.

Suggested Citation

  • Mota Luís & Franco Mara & Santos Rossana, 2021. "Social Carrying Capacity in Island Destinations: Interpreting Visitors’ Opinions in Madeira Island," European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, Sciendo, vol. 11(2), pages 253-266, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:ejothr:v:11:y:2021:i:2:p:253-266:n:3
    DOI: 10.2478/ejthr-2021-0023
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.2478/ejthr-2021-0023
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.2478/ejthr-2021-0023?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dario Bertocchi & Nicola Camatti & Silvio Giove & Jan van der Borg, 2020. "Venice and Overtourism: Simulating Sustainable Development Scenarios through a Tourism Carrying Capacity Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Paulo Oliveira & Pedro Telhado Pereira, 2008. "Who Values What in a Tourism Destination? The Case of Madeira Island," Tourism Economics, , vol. 14(1), pages 155-168, March.
    3. Silvia Marzetti & R. Mosetti, 2005. "Social Carrying Capacity of Mass Tourist Sites: Theoretical and Practical Issues about its Measurement," Working Papers 2005.144, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    4. Brandolini, S. Marzetti Dall'Aste & Mosetti, R., 2005. "Social Carrying Capacity of Mass Tourist Sites: Theoretical and Practical Issues about its Measurement," Natural Resources Management Working Papers 12154, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bernadette G. Gumba & Arnold S.M, 2022. "Physical Carrying Capacity of Selected Tourism Sites and Social Opportunity for Local Resident Tourists in the Philippines," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(6), pages 56-61, June.
    2. Clara Cicatiello & Giulia Avolio & Silvio Franco & Marco Valente, 2014. "Dal prodotto turistico allo sviluppo locale delle aree rurali: il caso di civita di Bagnoregio," MERCATI & COMPETITIVIT?, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2014(4), pages 39-62.
    3. Bart Neuts & Senne Kimps & Jan van der Borg, 2021. "Resident Support for Tourism Development: Application of a Simplified Resident Empowerment through Tourism Scale on Developing Destinations in Flanders," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-19, June.
    4. Torres-Sovero, Claudia & González, José A. & Martín-López, Berta & Kirkby, Christopher A., 2012. "Social–ecological factors influencing tourist satisfaction in three ecotourism lodges in the southeastern Peruvian Amazon," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 545-552.
    5. Prudente João & Lopes Helder & Rodrigues Ana & Alves Ricardo & Fernando Catarina & Noite João & Vieira Sara, 2020. "Hikes and Levadas in Madeira: Characterizing Visitors and their experience," European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, Sciendo, vol. 10(2), pages 154-164, December.
    6. Zamru Ajuhari & Azlizam Aziz & Sam Shor Nahar Yaakob & Shamsul Abu Bakar & Manohar Mariapan, 2023. "Systematic Literature Review on Methods of Assessing Carrying Capacity in Recreation and Tourism Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    7. da Mosto, Jane & Bertolini, Camilla & Markandya, Anil & Nunes, Paulo A.L.D. & Spencer, Tom & Palaima, Arnas & Onofri, Laura, 2020. "Rethinking Venice from an Ecosystem Services Perspective," FACTS: Firms And Cities Towards Sustainability 308019, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) > FACTS: Firms And Cities Towards Sustainability.
    8. José Fernandes & Pedro Chamusca & Rubén Lois & Helena Madureira & Juliano Mattos & Jorge Pinto, 2024. "Tourism-Led Change of the City Centre," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, January.
    9. Chaang-Iuan Ho & Tzong-Shyuan Chen & Chin-Pei Li, 2023. "Airbnb’s Negative Externalities from the Consumer’s Perspective: How the Effects Influence the Booking Intention of Potential Guests," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-28, May.
    10. Betsabé Pérez Garrido & Szabolcs Szilárd Sebrek & Viktoriia Semenova & Damla Bal & Gábor Michalkó, 2022. "Addressing the Phenomenon of Overtourism in Budapest from Multiple Angles Using Unconventional Methodologies and Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-19, February.
    11. Marques da Silva António José, 2021. "In Quest of a New AR Technology Application to Enhance the Sustainability of Cultural Tourism: The Olive Heritage in Madeira Through the Looking Glass of a ‘Sandbox’ Approach," European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 66-76, December.
    12. Sieds, 2012. "Complete Volume LXVI nn.3-4 2012," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 66(3-4), pages 1-166.
    13. Silvio Cristiano & Francesco Gonella, 2020. "‘Kill Venice’: a systems thinking conceptualisation of urban life, economy, and resilience in tourist cities," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 7(1), pages 1-13, December.
    14. Stefano Della Torre & Mehrnaz Rajabi, 2022. "The Restoration of St. James’s Church in Como and the Cathedral Museum as Agents for Sustainable Urban Planning Strategies," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-15, March.
    15. Krabokoukis, Thomas & Polyzos, Serafeim, 2020. "Examining the relationship between Tourism Seasonality and Tourism Carrying Capacity indexes for the Greek prefectures," MPRA Paper 106173, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Manuel de la Calle-Vaquero & María García-Hernández & Sofía Mendoza de Miguel, 2020. "Urban Planning Regulations for Tourism in the Context of Overtourism. Applications in Historic Centres," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-22, December.
    17. Romana Gargano, Giuseppe Avena, Maurizio Mondello, 2012. "Cruise Tourism In Messina: A Study On The Perception Of Services," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 66(3-4), pages 119-125.
    18. Sophia Arbara & Roberto D’Autilia, 2021. "A Population Game Model for the Expansion of Airbnb in the City of Venice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-15, March.
    19. Tatjana Tambovceva & Dzintra Atstaja & Maria Tereshina & Inga Uvarova & Agita Livina, 2020. "Sustainability Challenges and Drivers of Cross-Border Greenway Tourism in Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-26, July.
    20. Monika Widz & Teresa Brzezińska-Wójcik, 2020. "Assessment of the Overtourism Phenomenon Risk in Tunisia in Relation to the Tourism Area Life Cycle Concept," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-13, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:vrs:ejothr:v:11:y:2021:i:2:p:253-266:n:3. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Peter Golla (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.sciendo.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.