Evaluation of tourism carrying capacity (Case Study: Shirabad Waterfall in Golestan Province in Iran)

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluation and to improve the tourism carrying capacity of Shirabad waterfall in Golestan Province in Iran with the sustainable development of tourism. Methods: Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to investigate relationships between variables criterion. Number of ۲۰۰ non-native visitors Shirabad waterfall in Golestan province were surveyed using simple sampling method. Research datas were collected using a questionnaire ۲۷ items and analyzed by Lisrel and SPSS softwares. Results: The results showed that the region has a high potential in the field of tourism carrying capacity development in environmental, economic and social dimensions for sustainable development. There was a positive and significant relationship between tourism facilities with tourism carrying capacity. The environmental dimensions of tourism carrying capacity have the most significant and negative relationship. Discussion: Managers must make important decisions to pay more attention to the environment.