Overtourism, Carrying Capacity, and Destination Competitiveness in Indonesia: A Systematic Literature Review

Dwis'nu Arfa Sita; Dermawan Wibisono; Yuni Ros Bangun

doi:10.58777/reb.v4i2.680

Authors

Dwis'nu Arfa Sita School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung
Dermawan Wibisono School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung
Yuni Ros Bangun School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58777/reb.v4i2.680

Keywords:

overtourism, environmental carrying capacity, destination competitiveness, sustainable tourism, UNWTO, Indonesia, systematic literature review

Abstract

Overtourism and environmental degradation threaten the long-term competitiveness of tourism destinations, including Indonesia. This study examines the relationship between overtourism, environmental carrying capacity, and destination competitiveness through a systematic literature review informed by the sustainability principles of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The review followed a four-stage identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion protocol using Scopus records exported on 16 May 2026. From 50 records identified, 24 studies were retained for the systematic review. Of these, 14 studies provided empirical findings that were sufficiently comparable for quantitative evidence synthesis, while the remaining studies were used for conceptual development, contextual interpretation, and theoretical framing. The analysis combined evidence grading, exact binomial vote counting, and triangulation with official Indonesian tourism statistics. The findings indicate a consistent pattern: volume-driven tourism growth without adequate capacity management is associated with adverse environmental, social, or destination-performance outcomes. Indonesian evidence also points to increasing tourism pressure and continuing challenges in environmental levy compliance. The study contributes an Indonesia-specific synthesis and proposes capacity-based governance, strengthened monitoring systems, and yield-oriented tourism management. It also identifies priorities for future field validation of carrying capacity, institutional capacity, and destination competitiveness.

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