Tourism expert: Visitor management system protects sites from overcrowding

Nidal Malou Al-Ain, a tourism management expert, emphasizes the importance of regulating visitor numbers for the protection of natural and emerging destinations with limited infrastructure. Speaking to Al Arabiya FM, Al-Ain asserts that a visitor management system is an effective means of controlling visitor numbers and safeguarding such sites.

According to the expert, visitor limits must consider the site's nature, capacity, infrastructure readiness, and environmental sensitivity. He stresses the need to account for the carbon footprint of tourists and potential negative impacts on the site. Al-Ain also warns that viral content from influencers on social media can lead to overcrowding at sites not equipped to handle such large numbers.

He advocates for tourism promotion efforts that complement the preservation of a site's identity, environment, and natural beauty while minimizing environmental and visual pollution. Al-Ain explains that the visitor management system enables daily visitor limits through advance bookings and regulated entry/exit, ensuring that site capacity is not surpassed.

The effectiveness of the system hinges on ongoing site maintenance and infrastructure development, such as enhancing accessibility, regulating vehicle movement, and rehabilitating impacted areas. While some may question entry fees for popular sites, Al-Ain argues they can generate resources for maintenance and long-term sustainability.

Al-Ain notes that all tourist sites face similar challenges as visitor numbers grow, highlighting the necessity of learning from past experiences and implementing proactive plans to prevent damage to new and emerging destinations.