Carrying capacity assessment of Slovene Istria for tourism

The method of carrying capacity assessment has been found to be a useful tool for saturation prevention as well as for implementing sustainable tourism development strategies in Slovene Istria. It has been found that sustainable tourism development allows for variations in tourism development intensity in the region. The aim of sustainable tourism development is a long-term optimal use of tourism resources without negative impacts on the natural, social and economic environments. The major constraints that will have to be considered if tourism development is to be sustainable are: waste water collection and treatment, lack of car parks, road and rail transport, sea water quality, potable water resources, solid waste disposal and management, and last but not least the dissatisfaction of the local community and tourists with tourism. The development of more accommodation facilities would not be reasonable without investments in general infrastructure facilities. Measures for increasing carrying capacity have also been suggested.