Abstract

An increase in the number of tourists can boost the economic prosperity of tourist attractions; over-development or over-utilization of a tourist attraction will lead to the consumption of tourism resources and reduce recreational quality. This study used relevant studies on ecotourism and recreational carrying capacity and applied the Delphi-fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to identify the critical factors affecting the recreational carrying capacity of the Hualien Qixingtan coastal recreational areas, including 4 primary factors, namely, recreational environment, natural landscape, coastal animals and plants, and cultural assets, and 13 secondary factors, such as public infrastructure. The research results can be provided as reference for relevant government authorities and operators to develop measures taking into account both the resource conservation and recreational management of coastal recreational areas.

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