Do Different Queue Formations Influence the Overestimation of Tourism Carrying Capacity?

Tourism carrying capacity in scenic areas refers to the maximum number of visitors a site can accommodate while maintaining safety and ensuring a satisfactory visitor experience. Effective management of carrying capacity is crucial for ecological preservation, operational efficiency, and visitor safety. This study focuses on the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in China, employing both simulation and field experiments to examine how varying walking speeds and queue formations affect the site's carrying capacity. Simulation results reveal that, compared to lateral queue formations, linear queue formations exert a more pronounced negative impact on carrying capacity, with an impact coefficient of 0.56. Field observations further demonstrate that carrying capacity is closely tied to visitor activity patterns. This study introduces more innovative ideas: one is the strategy of zoning analysis within the same scenic spot, and the other is a more careful consideration of tourist queue formation. The findings provide valuable methodological insights for future research on tourism carrying capacity and for developing strategies to enhance tourist management in scenic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]