Tourism Carrying Capacity (TCC) serves as a crucial procedural tool in tourism and destination planning, gaining significance in the context of sustainable tourism development by determining the maximum number of tourists a destination can accommodate while preserving social, cultural, and environmental conditions. In the theoretical and practical framework of this study, we delve into the sociocultural impacts of tourism in Cyprus, assess existing TCC methodologies, and offer recommendations for policy-makers and industry stakeholders. The investigation begins with a comprehensive examination of whether TCC models are integrated into Cyprus tourism and sustainable development strategies. Through in-depth face-to-face interviews with key stakeholders, the study explores the potential for collaboration in creating a TCC model and evaluates the impact of establishing a network of tourism clusters to implement carrying capacity models.

The research methodology involves 32 semi-structured interviews and 3 focus groups with diverse stakeholders, including local authorities, business owners, academics, and government officials. The findings reveal a notable absence of TCC models in current use in Cyprus, despite the recognition in the strategic plan 2030 of the adverse effects of mass tourism and seasonality. Stakeholders express varying perceptions of tourism’s economic benefits and challenges, reflecting a divergence between profit- oriented and sustainable development approaches. Discrepancies also emerge in stakeholders views on destination and visitor management planning, highlighting differing agendas and interests. Additionally, limited familiary with tourism clusters is identified, attributed to a lack of data, industry fragmentation and inadequate government support.

 Despite these challenges, the study underscores the potential contributions of clusters to sustainable destination management. The research findings offer valuable insights for developing sustainable tourism policies in Cyprus and provide recommendations applicable to similar destinations grappling with managing tourism growth while preserving cultural heritage. This study advances our understanding of TCC implantation, tourism clusters, and stakeholder perceptions, contributing to the planning and strategizing for tourism practices.