The management of historical cities saturated by tourism

The touristic carrying capacity as a tool to mitigatee impacts that affect its conservation

Abstract

   Although tourism tends to be considered as a driving force for development in the recipient territories, since the 1970s, there is a clear concern about the massive increase of visitors in attractions such as historical cities and their negative effects on the local population, heritage, environment and infrastructure. Facing this situation, we are seeking to strengthen the planning and regulation of tourism in such a way that the resources, on which it depends, are preserved in the long term. To achieve this, it is important to know the tools that contribute to mitigate, reduce or eliminate these effects. One of these instruments is the "carrying capacity", so the present article explores the contribution that this instrument can give, in order to control the touristic saturation of urban heritage. For this purpose a search, selection, revision and analysis of documentary material on concepts, case studies and previous experiences has been carried out, presenting in this article the outcomes reached.