Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM, cilt.54, ss.1-14, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
Rock climbing has grown steadily worldwide as a nature-based recreational activity, contributing to sustainable tourism development through low-impact activities, nature-based visitor experiences, and local economic contributions. With increasing visitor numbers at popular destinations like Geyikbayırı, crowding has emerged as a critical concern for both environmental sustainability and visitor satisfaction. However, little is known about crowding standards specific to climbing environments. This study aims to define crowding norms at Geyikbayırı, a leading climbing area in Turkey, by applying a visual-based normative approach rooted in normative theory. A quantitative research design was employed, integrating digitally simulated photographs with structured questionnaires to assess climbers’ perceptions of crowding. Data were collected from 572 climbers during the peak climbing season (December to April). Participants evaluated the acceptability of increasing visitor densities represented in eight digitally altered photographs and one baseline image, illustrating different crowding levels in the climbing area. Results reveal threshold points separating acceptable from unacceptable crowding levels. The findings emphasize the importance of managing daily visitor flows and acknowledging cultural variation among climbers. They also show how variables such as climbing preferences and visitor types shape crowd norms, calling for context-specific management strategies. While the study provides insights for Geyikbayırı, its findings should be generalized cautiously to other climbing areas. Further research across diverse climbing sites and populations is recommended to support broader applications.