METHODOLOGICAL LIMITATIONS AND PRACTICAL CHALLENGES IN MEASURING THE TOURISM CARRYING CAPACITY OF A DESTINATION

Abstract

Contemporary patterns of tourist space appropriation, driven by overtourism and large-scale investment projects, have brought renewed urgency to the question of whether carrying capacity assessments represent an alluring utopia or an effective practical tool. This study aims to determine the feasibility and efficacy of applying the concept of tourism carrying capacity (TCC) to foster sustainable tourism development. Within an ongoing scholarly debate, the paper proposes an original conceptual framework for analyzing TCC, grounded in the principles of manageability, adaptability, and sustainability. TCC is reconceptualized as a dynamic marker of territorial vitality, an integrative indicator, and a flexible instrument for adaptive tourism flow management aimed at ensuring the long-term prosperity of tourist destinations by balancing ecological, socio-cultural, and economic dimensions under rapidly intensifying tourism pressure. Drawing on a systematic analysis of over 1,000 highly relevant and influential academic publications, the study traces the evolution of scientific perspectives on TCC since the mid-20th century, identifying six distinct historical phases − from early quantitative approaches focused on numerical thresholds to contemporary multidimensional, dynamic modeling, this increasingly incorporating advanced computational and artificial intelligence techniques. The paper outlines promising avenues for future TCC research and concludes that successful implementation of TCC requires robust scientific support, active engagement of local communities, and adaptive regulatory policies oriented toward the longterm sustainability of tourist destinations rather than short-term gains. Genuine carrying capacity should not be measured by tourist numbers alone, but by the quality of life we secure for future generations through the decisions we make today.