Tourism capacity : a critique

Abstract

The concept of capacity is frequently alluded to in analyses of tourism flows. There have been numerous attempts to define it (see pages 122-6), as well as early efforts to specify capacity in practical terms (e.g. An Foras Forbartha, 1966). The interest in this concept is still maintained and, to judge from reports concerned with tourism policy, held to be of great significance. For example, the UK government's Tourism and Environment Task Force argued that 'determining the capacity of a site is the crucial first step in managing it as a sustainable resource'. (1991a: 26; emphasis added). At a broader level, the European Parliament has called on member states 'to determine tourist capacity in each large tourist centre when drawing up regional development plans'.l Capacity also seems to be important as an operational measure in the tourism industry. For example, annual sightseeing statistics published by the UK tourist authorities provide data on 'attractions where maximum capacity was reached on 20 days or more' (e.g. BTA/ETB, 1992).