Governing Overtourism under Complexity:   A Configurational Analysis of Resident Stress and Urban Sustainability

Rafael Saucedo Calzada; Fernando Almeida Garcia; Rafael Cortés Macías

doi:10.25145/j.pasos.2026.24.041

Authors

Rafael Saucedo Calzada Universidad de Málaga https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6842-0943
Fernando Almeida Garcia Department of Geography, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6560-8752
Rafael Cortés Macías Department of Geography, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2120-3515

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25145/j.pasos.2026.24.041

Keywords:

urban tourism, tourism governance, resident stress, sustainable tourism, urban planning, overtourism, psychosocial well-being, carrying capacity, regenerative tourism, community resilience

Abstract

This study investigates how combinations of tourism impacts and governance perceptions influence residents’ emotional stress in overtouristed urban environments. Using a mixed-methods approach—integrating covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA)—we analyze data from 453 residents of Málaga, Spain. The findings reveal equifinal pathways leading to both high and low stress levels, shaped by perceived sustainability, institutional responsiveness, and participatory governance. These results challenge linear and universalist assumptions in tourism planning and underscore the need for adaptive, context-sensitive governance models. By bridging psychosocial stress theory with urban tourism governance, this research contributes a multidimensional framework for understanding resident well-being in tourism-intensive cities.

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Academic society: PASOS. Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural
Publisher: Instituto Universitario de Investigación Social y Turismo. Universidad de La Laguna (España) - Instituto Universitario da Maia ISMAI (Portugal)

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