Tourism analysis at Asinara Island (Italy): Carrying capacity and web evaluations in two pocket beaches

Abstract Tourism has many environmental impacts and particularly in marine Protected Areas, which are declared to protect biological and environmental values. The long-term objective of Protected Areas can be complex considering that preservation of a site should not be in conflict with the right of user's access and with the quality of visitors experiences. Consequently, solutions may be found to find a balance between preservation and recreational uses that can be sustained by the environmental resources of the area. In this study we propose a methodology to help park manager to develop attractive sustainable tourism. The method is based on tourist perception assessment using website reviews and specifically TripAdvisor. We analyzed 637 reviews containing overall satisfaction, environmental aspects, transport means, service and management aspects. On the other hand, the calculation of carrying capacity, based on the Cifuentes method, provided insights about the interaction of human activities with the environment, considering biophysical characteristics, social factors and management policies. Our results suggest that the tourist carrying capacity is in its lower level and that tourist experience is judged excellent. Finally, the analysis of the TripAdvisor reviews may represent a useful instrument for decision makers by identifying negative aspects and solutions.