How much is too much? Tourism intensity and the role of social carrying capacity in tourism development

This study explores the relationship between tourism intensity (TI), social carrying capacity (SCC) of residents, and support for tourism development (STD) in an alpine destination. Furthermore, it examines the influence of perceived benefits, employer image, and the economic relevance of tourism. Building on existing research on residents' attitudes toward tourism impacts and SCC, we conducted a quantitative study using multivariate analysis of data from telephone interviews with 1,500 Tyrolean residents. The findings confirm differences in SCC across regions with varying TI levels. The results reveal a relationship between SCC and STD and confirm the positive influence of the perceived benefits and economic outcomes on STD. The study makes notable contributions to the literature on tourism perception and SCC by introducing the dimension of TI. It provides valuable insights into residents' attitudes toward tourism development in a destination in which the host-guest relationship is particularly close.