Collaborative Destination Management Based on Carrying Capacity Assessment from Resident and Visitor Perspectives: A Case Study of Crikvenica-Vinodol Riviera, Croatia

Abstract

Within the context of the rapid worldwide growth of tourism frequently accompanied by overcrowding and overtourism issues, this paper juxtaposes resident and visitor perceptions of tourism impacts on Croatia's busy Crikvenica-Vinodol Riviera seeking to better understand destination social carrying capacity implications as these may inform improvement in collaborative destination management and governance. The analysis shows significant differences in perception of tourism, with predominantly positive views among visitors versus the more critical residents. As a means of overcoming the threat of diverging perceptions becoming a limiting factor of sustainable tourism development, the paper suggests destination management should be oriented towards building destination cohesion and advancing community values. This implies better monitoring of a destination's tourism carrying capacity parameters, further community capacity building in tourism, improving the quality of tourism planning and capacity for plan implementation, as well as promoting a collaborative culture among local stakeholders.