Manejo sostenible de playas turísticas: capacidad de carga en el departamento del Atlántico, Caribe colombiano

Colombia has approximately 227 beaches distributed along its Caribbean coast. In the department of Atlántico, sectors such as Sabanilla, Miramar, Puerto Mocho, Salinas del Rey and Puerto Velero have gained relevance due to their accessibility, adaptability to tourism needs and focus on environmental sustainability. However, the increase in tourism activity requires organization, infrastructure and management plans that guarantee its sustainable use. This is why the Beach Carrying Capacity (CCP) is presented as a tool for the management of these beaches, ensuring a balance between tourism and environmental, social and economic conservation. Therefore, the objective of this work was to jointly develop a methodology between the Dirección General Marítima (DIMAR) and the Centro de Investigaciones Oceanográficas e Hidrográficas del Caribe (CIOH) and apply it to the calculation of the BCC, in compliance with the provisions of Law 2068 of 2020. To this end, factors such as tourism dynamics, comfort, basic sanitation, policies and regulations, safety, climate change, the impact on the physical environment, and ecosystem services were considered, adapted to the specific conditions of each beach. This methodology also made it possible to determine the Actual Carrying Capacity (CCR), establishing the maximum number of people who can remain on each beach per day. However, climate change represents a significant challenge. It is estimated that by 2050 the 5 beaches could lose more than 28% of their area, reducing the available space per person. This study highlights the importance of implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies to ensure the sustainability of these destinations.