Exploring Community Engagement and Tourism Carrying Capacity in Transitioning Markets: Review, Cases, and Future Directions

Tourism contributes significantly to the economic growth of transitioning economies but often generates sustainability challenges, including environmental degradation, cultural erosion, and limited community benefits. This paper examines how integrating community involvement and carrying capacity management can jointly advance sustainable tourism, with reference to Ghana and comparative African cases. Drawing on recent literature and illustrative case studies, the study highlights how community-driven initiatives such as the Sirigu Women’s Organisation for Pottery and Art (SWOPA) and the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary promote cultural preservation and empowerment. Conversely, sites like Kakum National Park demonstrate the risks of overtourism when visitor numbers exceed ecological thresholds. Comparative examples from Kenya, Lesotho, and Uganda reinforce these patterns across the region. The paper argues that sustainable tourism requires the synergy of carrying capacity frameworks, which regulate visitor flows, and community participation, which ensures social legitimacy and local ownership. The study contributes a practical framework for balancing economic aspirations with ecological stewardship and social equity in transitioning economies.