Abstract
Visitor congestion is a phenomenon that can be observed in many World Heritage Sites (WHSs). Is this a sign that the WHSs have entered the mature phase of the tourism area life cycle? In addressing this question, this study applies as an alternative explanation the vicious circle schema, using the WHS of Macau. The research uses multiple methods: photo interpretation and analysis, a face-to-face questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews with Macau's local residents and governors, and a simultaneous measure of visitor congestion by 140 research assistants. The results of this case study support the four hypotheses that are integral to the vicious circle schema, such as the expansion of the tourist area, a high proportion of shorter visits, congestion and a down-grading of the quality of the tourism products. It concludes that the vicious circle schema is applicable to the WHS of Macau, and the phenomenon of overcrowding might not be a signal for the consolidation stage of the WHS of Macau.
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