**5. Methodology**

In the present study, the methodology followed for carrying capacity assessment is based on Cifuentes's methodology [9]. This framework developed by Cifuentes [9] was also applied by several authors [15, 23, 26, 38–42]. This methodology was also followed by Ceballos-Lascurain (1996) for estimating protected area carrying capacity (IUCN Publication 1996 "Tourism, Ecotourism and Protected Areas"). This methodology is traditionally followed for the many TCC studies such as Zacarias et al. [26] for beach recreation. Sayan and Atifk [15] used this methodology for recreation carrying capacity of protected areas. The approach is to establish the capacity of an area for a maximum visits based on the physical, biological, and management conditions through the PCC, RCC, and the effective or permissible carrying capacity [39]. TCC is divided into the following levels:
