Tourism Carrying Capacity Determination for Desert Regions of Iran Case studies: Shahdad, Maranjab-Band e Rig, and Mesr-Farahzad

In the recent years, deserts of Iran have been experiencing an ongoing boost of demand on the part of tourists. Given the sensitivity and fragility of these environments, accompanying the nonexistence of a comprehensive tourism development plan, the necessity for awareness and special attention to these areas has become highlighted. The present research based on tourism sustainability approach, tries to calculate the tourism carrying capacity of three desert destinations: Shahdad, Maranjab-Band e Rig, and Mesr-Farahzad. For this purpose, first by reviewing the literature and asking professionals’ opinions, the influencing indices on tourism carrying capacity of the regions were identified; afterwards, the ‘physical’, ‘real’, and ‘efficient’ carrying capacities were calculated for both extensive and intensive tourism zones. Results indicate that Maranjab-Band e Rig, and Shahdad have higher tourism carrying capacity in comparison with Mesr-Farahzadarea. Also findings show that these areas can improve their tourism carrying capacities by developing their infrastructures and services. Furthermore, the current ‘real’ carrying capacities of these areas were found to be over-loaded in the intensive tourism zones.