From Carrying Capacity to Overtourism: The Changing Perspective in the Course of Time

Abstract

In recent years, many sought-after destinations have witnessed a paradigm shift – a positive attitude of local communities towards tourism has been gradually replaced by a critical and, at times, aversive attitude. After the limits of socially acceptable tourism development were reached, the term over-tourism came to prominence. Following a decade-long growth-oriented paradigm, the advent of over-tourism has triggered a renewed interest among tourism authorities in the needs of local communities and pointed to the insufficiency of the concept of carrying capacity. Based on a systematic literature review, this article approaches over-tourism as a socio-psychological phenomenon and argues that the acceptance of tourism by local communities is essential to ensure the long-term viability of tourism destinations. Accordingly, the ultimate objective of destination development should be the quality of life of local communities rather than economic competitiveness. This (also) requires extending tourism planning and decision-making processes beyond the policy and business spheres, enabling local communities to shape the nature of tourism destinations that are simultaneously their living spaces.