Abstract:
Within the main elements of economic sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability, and environmental
sustainability, the criteria of 'carrying capacity’ have ben emphasized through residents’ perception analysis to
explore practical methods towards the application and implementation of such criteria. As data analysis
revealed, the main tourist resources in the case of North Cyprus –the coast and the beach- have a certain
capacity to sustain the impact and pressure of tourism. Despite the significance of the indigenous environment
and with respect to the residents’ perception of optimum carrying capacity levels, this issue has not been given
a due consideration. This has resulted in a process of coastal development which bypasses any measure ore
application of a standard to harmonize the degree of physical development and the capacity of the beach. The
main objective of this paper is to establish the concept of ‘carrying capacity’ as the means to achieve the
reconciliation of environmental impacts with tourism development. The study concludes that, if carrying
capacity measurement and its implementation are not incorporated into the planning decision as a clear
policy, there will be grave negative consequences for those resources attracting visitors.
