Journal of Sustainable Tourism
Editors: Bill Bramwell (Sheffield Hallam University) and Bernard Lane (Visiting Research Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University)
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Volume: 8 Number: 5 Page: 393–409
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Assessment of a Comfort Indicator for Natural Tourist Attractions: The Case of Visitors to Hanging Rock, Victoria
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Damian J. Morgan and Luke Lok
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Increasing visitor numbers raise dilemmas for managers of natural tourist attractions. Though biophysical conditions may fall within limits acceptable to attraction managers, high use-levels may create
undesirable consequences for visitor experiences. An apparent solution is to set a maximum use-level by determining an attraction's social carrying capacity. However, studies have demonstrated that this
determination is problematic when considering the relationships among the multifaceted characteristics of users and the unique elements within specific locations. As an alternative, a comfort indicator
is proposed to determine appropriate user experiences within the context of an attraction's management objectives. To test this concept, a study examining visitor perceptions (N = 385) of a popular
natural tourist attraction is reported. Significant interrelationships were found among use-level, crowding and waiting (p < 0.05). No relationship was found between visitor use-level preferences
and times visited. Applying these findings, a management strategy for the attraction is outlined with future research avenues suggested.
© Channel View Publications 2000
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