The effect of perception of tourist carrying capacity on service outputs: The case of Hasankeyf

The study aims to examine the effects of the perception of carrying capacity for Hasankeyf on service outputs. In this focus, a mixed method was adopted in the research, and data were obtained from both local administrators and business managers and tourists. Firstly, data were collected from local managers and business managers through semi-structured interviews. The data collected within the scope of the interview were analyzed by descriptive analysis and content analysis techniques. Accordingly, it was concluded that local administrators and business managers emphasized that tourism in Hasankeyf has not developed sufficiently and therefore there is no carrying capacity problem and that infrastructure and superstructure investments should be increased for tourism development. In addition, data were obtained from tourists visiting Hasankeyf through questionnaires. A total of 390 valid questionnaire data were collected from tourists, the data were evaluated by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to determine the factor structures of the measurement models, and then structural equation modeling was used to determine the relationships between variables. The results show that tourists' perception of carrying capacity has an impact on belonging behavior, satisfaction and intention to revisit. The findings support the sustainable tourism theory and reveal that the perception of carrying capacity is positively related to perceived service outcomes. The research provides valuable information to both academic literature and tourism planners and decision makers for sustainable tourism practices. The current research is important for local governments in terms of designing touristic infrastructure and superstructure initiatives and activities by taking into account the carrying capacity in newly built destinations such as Hasankeyf and establishing a path towards reducing tourism-related sustainability concerns. In addition, the research is expected to contribute to the literature by examining sustainable development, carrying capacity and service output.