Appraising Psychosocial Carrying Capacity of Ecotourism In Sacred and Energetic Sites (Case: Takht-e Soleiman, Throne of Solomon, Iran)

One of the purposes of Ecotourism is to relax and aspirate the natural energy. Sacred and Energetic sites are the locations for experiencing the relaxation. Since 2005 the Ecotourism for aspirating the natural energy or spiritual Ecotourism has been developed in Iran. There are some places in Iran which have a kind of energy as subtle energy for increasing personal health and awareness. These places have some restrictions in Tourism sustainability, so their carrying capacity must be estimated. Carrying Capacity can be used as a index number for identifying the management policies. Takht-e Soleiman (Azargoshansb) in Iran is an important archeological site which was not only registered in UNESCO's list of world heritage in 2003 but also was inscribed in world sacred sites list. Many tourists travel to this site for receiving the energy annually. In this research, psychosocial carrying capacity of ecotourism in sacred site (Takht-e Soleiman) was surveyed. In order to indentify psychosocial carrying capacity, the management indicators that affect the carrying capacity were determined. According to these indicators, the questionnaires were provided. 140 of 150 tourists who traveled to Takht-e Soleiman for receiving the energy responded to the questionnaires. After statistical analysis of the questionnaires, the number of carrying capacity which identified density, crowding levels and encounter preferences was maximum 150 persons daily in recreation season (summer). This number specially identified acceptable density around the lake.