Explaining the Effects of Rural Tourism Development on Carrying Capacity of Local Community: A Case Study of Kandolus Village, Nowshahr County of Iran

Planning for sustainable tourism development in the villages, following the increase in tourists in rural areas, is necessary. In this regard, this study aimed at estimating the carrying capacity of the local community towards the development of rural tourism. The data analysis was conducted in a descriptive-analytical method. The statistical population included experts related to the subject of research and residents (local community) of Kandolus Village of Nowshahr County in Iran. Method of determining the carrying capacity of the local community was adapted from the Battelle environmental evaluation system frequently used for environmental impact assessment and the limits of acceptable change. Two maps including Barometer of Tourism Sustainability (BTS) and AMOEBA of Tourism Sustainability Indicators (ATSI) were also used to show the level of sustainability of the tourism destination. The study results showed that based on the classification of sustainability barometer of Prescott-Allen and according to the obtained parameter (0.609), the carrying capacity of the local community was relatively stable within the range of 0.61-0.80 category.