Carrying capacity in the context of sustainable tourism: The case of Ayvalik

The main attraction of tourism is the sustainability of the natural, historical and cultural resources that make up its attractiveness, its use within the conservation-use balance and its transfer to future generations, which determine the continuity of tourism activities. The most important condition for the realization of these elements in the definition and principles of sustainable tourism depends on allowing the development of the type and number of tourist attractions appropriate to the carrying capacity of the tourist zon. In this thesis study, the positive and negative effects of the tourism on the Ayvalık region were investigated through the conceptual framework of the researches on the concepts of sustainable tourism and carrying capacity and it was evaluated whether or not the tourist density is above the tourism carrying capacity of the region. In the second part of the thesis study, after the concepts of sustainable tourism and carrying capacity were examined, in the third part general information about Ayvalık and survey studies were given. The results of the social and environmental transport capacities of Ayvalık have been evaluated in detail by determining the level of satisfaction with the tourism development of the region with the participation of two different surveys conducted with the local population and tourists in Ayvalık. In the last part of the thesis study, it is understood that according to the findings obtained from the research, the Ayvalık tourism area has exceeded the social and environmental carrying capacity limits and the participants are not satisfied with the tourism development of the region. It has been determined that this situation is contrary to the principles and objectives of sustainable tourism and it will negatively affect the sustainability of Ayvalık tourism in the long run. As a result, it was aimed that the proposals that were developed would be a reference to benefit tourism plans for the sustainability of Ayvalık tourism.