The co-management and stakeholders theory as a useful approach to manage the problem of overtourism in historical cities – illustrated with an example of Krakow

Purpose The development of tourism is emerging in some places of the world’s destinations and the problem of overtourism is an expression of the mechanisms and behaviours of entities in the public space that is a city or region. For many years, on the practical and theoretical ground, various ways of describing these phenomena have been sought. These include the theory of stakeholders that combines approaches that refer to strategic management, value-chain theory, resource-based theory, CSR concepts or those embedded in the institutional concept, game theory and the theory of property rights. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The paper discusses the overtourism problem from the point of view of selected aspects of stakeholder theory on the example of one of the most popular cities in the world – Krakow, where for several years there has been a discussion about overtourism and the effects of this phenomenon for residents, enterprises and other stakeholders. It can be hypothesised that the stakeholder theory and co-management can be an inspiration to seek a solution to this growing problem. Findings The result of the discussed problems is the indication of the role of stakeholders in the appearance of the ovetourism phenomenon and the protection of activities aimed at implementing the co-management concept at the local and international level. Research limitations/implications Here are not many research results and the empirical data describing the problem from point of view stakeholder theory connected with overtourism. It is also the problem of overlapping different approach and theories. This shows possibilities to grow of research in this field. Practical implications Stakeholders theory help to solve many problems in corporate management as well as in public institutions. It gives the possibilities to include in analysis different social groups and entities. This kind of research and approach could be used for creating of the regional policies and sustainable development. An important role to play in the process of creating co-operative structures between stakeholders has co-managerial and academic environments. They can be a place for both discussions, conducting research and a meeting place for thematic groups solving specific problems. Social implications Overtourism is a problem concerning various areas of functioning of historical cities. They are obliged to provide and protect the cultural heritage of all humanity. The theory of stakeholders and the co-management concept create the possibility of managing the ovetourism phenomenon. They have, therefore, an important social aspect. Their goal is to cooperate and integrate activities around key social and economic problems at the local, national and international levels. Originality/value It is an adaptation and searching of methods for describing the new phenomena in tourism and cities development. It is an attempt at a holistic approach to problems related to the common space and resources owned by various stakeholders.