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Tourism and Hospitality
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Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS): Tourism Between Innovation and Authenticity...
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Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS): Tourism Between Innovation and Authenticity for Better Sustainable Developing Paths

A special issue of Tourism and Hospitality (ISSN 2673-5768).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 9839

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Eduardo Moraes Sarmento

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Economy Department, Lisbon School of Economics and Management (ISEG), Lisbon University, 1200-781 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: tourism sustainability; economy of development; small islands developing countries (SIDS)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

According to various sources (World Travel and Tourism Council—WTTC, World Tourism Organization—WTO, World Bank, etc.), these countries share a unique set of challenges and opportunities due to their location and social, environmental and economic situations.

Some of these countries have long opted to develop tourism as a strategic activity, while others are just now starting this process as an optional complementary activity.

However, as we have seen with the COVID-19 pandemic and in some cases of natural hazards, several countries have temporarily inflected their growth rates revealing the fragility of the tourism market towards some external and unpredictable events.

Under all of these issues and challenges, it is important to reflect on the social, environmental and economic model of tourism in several of these regions especially those in which the economic activity is mainly centered on tourism.

Taking into consideration both the limitations and vulnerabilities of several SIDS as well as the observed changes in the tourist's profile due to the pandemic crisis, this is the right time to reflect and discuss the many innovations based on the digitalization of the offer as well as the importance of authenticity to reach new national paths of development.

Therefore, this issue will be an opportunity to propose an innovative perspective and reflection on the past, present and future of tourism in these countries. Papers that offer theoretical reflections, methodologies and case studies are most welcome.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Co-creation of value in tourism services;
  • Community-based tourism;
  • COVID-19 and post-OVID-19;
  • Cross-cultural research in tourism and leisure behaviors;
  • Design in tourism;
  • Entrepreneurship in tourism;
  • The impact of ICT developments on tourists’ decision-making and consumption processes;
  • Customers/employees’ engagement in the hospitality and leisure industry;
  • Marketing and designing the tourist experience;
  • Marketing tourism places, events, and spaces;
  • Over-tourism and resistance to tourism;
  • Robots and AI Trust in tourism;
  • Sustainable tourism;
  • Tourist decision-making and behavior;
  • Well-being in tourism.

I/We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Eduardo Moraes Sarmento
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Tourism and Hospitality is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Small Islands Development States (SIDS)
  • tourism innovation
  • co-creation of value in tourism services
  • community-based tourism
  • entrepreneurship in tourism
  • marketing and designing the tourist experience
  • over-tourism and resistance to tourism
  • robots and AI trust in tourism
  • sustainable tourism
  • well-being in tourism

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1079 KB  
Article
Harnessing Green Dynamic Capabilities for Sustainable Tourism Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Service Innovation in Bali’s Tour and Travel SMEs
by Elizabeth Elizabeth, Harjanto Prabowo, Agustinus Bandur and Rini Setiowati
Tour. Hosp. 2025, 6(3), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6030156 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 635
Abstract
In response to increasing global sustainability demands, this study examines how green dynamic capabilities influence business performance in Bali Island’s tour and travel SMEs, with green service innovation as a mediating mechanism. Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capability theory, the [...] Read more.
In response to increasing global sustainability demands, this study examines how green dynamic capabilities influence business performance in Bali Island’s tour and travel SMEs, with green service innovation as a mediating mechanism. Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capability theory, the research adopts a quantitative approach using survey data from 387 SMEs and employs structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the relationships among green dynamic capabilities, green service innovation, and business performance. Findings reveal that green dynamic capabilities significantly enhance both green service innovation and business performance. Notably, green service innovation partially mediates this relationship, underscoring its pivotal role in transforming internal sustainability-oriented capabilities into tangible performance outcomes. The key contribution of this study lies in extending RBV by integrating green service innovation as a strategic conduit that links eco-centric capabilities to competitive advantage in a tourism SME context—a perspective that remains underexplored in emerging economies. Practically, the study provides actionable insights for SME owners and policymakers to prioritize innovation in service design and delivery as a pathway to sustainable tourism performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS): Tourism Between Innovation and Authenticity for Better Sustainable Developing Paths)
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23 pages, 324 KB  
Article
Generational Differences in Motivational Drivers and Travel Preferences: An Exploration of International Travel Behavior of Slovak Women
by Petra Vašaničová and Kateryna Melnyk
Tour. Hosp. 2025, 6(2), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6020117 - 17 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1100
Abstract
Exploring international travel behavior helps to understand the diverse factors that motivate travelers across cultures and demographics, offering valuable insights into their unique travel patterns and preferences. This paper examines generational differences in motivational drivers and travel preferences among Slovak women, focusing specifically [...] Read more.
Exploring international travel behavior helps to understand the diverse factors that motivate travelers across cultures and demographics, offering valuable insights into their unique travel patterns and preferences. This paper examines generational differences in motivational drivers and travel preferences among Slovak women, focusing specifically on their international travel behavior. The study investigates how different generations (X, Y, Z) influence various aspects of travel, including travel preferences for domestic versus foreign destinations, seasonal preferences, transportation choices, travel companions, travel arrangements, and motivation levels. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 269 Slovak women. The hypotheses were tested using the Chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis tests. While some factors, such as transportation choices and travel companions, appear unaffected by generational identity, others—such as seasonal preferences, travel arrangements, and certain motivations (e.g., fun, pilgrimage, and education)—show clear generational differences. These findings contribute to a better understanding of women’s travel patterns and offer practical insights for tourism professionals aiming to develop more personalized and effective tourism offerings for diverse women travelers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS): Tourism Between Innovation and Authenticity for Better Sustainable Developing Paths)
22 pages, 989 KB  
Article
Sustainable Tourism Development in China: An Analysis of Local Residents’ Attitudes Toward Tourists
by Peng Gao and Zong-Yi Zhu
Tour. Hosp. 2025, 6(2), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6020097 - 23 May 2025
Viewed by 1148
Abstract
Scarce research on inbound tourism has focused on local residents’ attitudes toward inbound tourism, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. This study combines social identity theory and emotional solidarity theory to explore Chinese residents’ attitudes toward inbound tourism. In particular, we explore two types [...] Read more.
Scarce research on inbound tourism has focused on local residents’ attitudes toward inbound tourism, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. This study combines social identity theory and emotional solidarity theory to explore Chinese residents’ attitudes toward inbound tourism. In particular, we explore two types of social identities (cultural and environmental identities, termed “humanistic environmental identity” in this study) and three factors of local residents’ emotional solidarity (welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding toward inbound tourists). Based on a survey of 310 local residents in Yangzhou, China, this study finds that local residents’ humanistic environmental identity significantly affects their emotional solidarity with inbound tourists, which significantly influences their acceptance of inbound tourism; this, in turn, increases their support for inbound tourism. Meanwhile, local residents’ humanistic environmental identity has an indirect effect on their support for inbound tourism through their welcoming nature, emotional closeness, sympathetic understanding, and acceptance of inbound tourism. In addition, local residents’ xenophobia significantly moderates the relationships between humanistic environmental identity and emotional closeness, between humanistic environmental identity and sympathetic understanding, and between emotional closeness and local residents’ acceptance of inbound tourism. This study extends research on factors affecting inbound tourism from the perspectives of local residents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS): Tourism Between Innovation and Authenticity for Better Sustainable Developing Paths)
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12 pages, 1414 KB  
Article
Building the Framework for Sustainable Tourism in Príncipe Island
by Francisco Silva and Miguel Roque
Tour. Hosp. 2024, 5(1), 225-236; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp5010015 - 21 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2551
Abstract
Like many other Small Island Developing States, São Tomé and Príncipe’s economy faces major weaknesses and constraints. These challenges are especially marked on the island of Príncipe, owing to its small size and double insularity. In recent decades, tourism, driven by international investment, [...] Read more.
Like many other Small Island Developing States, São Tomé and Príncipe’s economy faces major weaknesses and constraints. These challenges are especially marked on the island of Príncipe, owing to its small size and double insularity. In recent decades, tourism, driven by international investment, has become a strategic sector for territorial development. This study assesses the suitability of this exogenous model and explores the feasibility of adopting a progressive change to a more community-centered tourism development model. Extensive fieldwork and multi-stakeholder collaboration have highlighted the need for a holistic, multi-dimensional strategy to secure this change. Such a strategy would prioritize local skills enhancement, infrastructure improvement, better governance and the diversification of tourism products and experiences. The gradual shift to a more endogenous approach in tourism development aims to strengthen sustainability across its multiple dimensions, ensuring more substantial and direct benefits for the local community and adding value to tourist services and experiences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS): Tourism Between Innovation and Authenticity for Better Sustainable Developing Paths)
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15 pages, 1532 KB  
Article
Cape Verde: Islands of Vulnerability or Resilience? A Transition from a MIRAB Model into a TOURAB One?
by Eduardo Moraes Sarmento and Ana Lorga da Silva
Tour. Hosp. 2024, 5(1), 80-94; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp5010006 - 2 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2738
Abstract
Small island developing states (SIDSs) traditionally face a set of challenges like the weak and highly fragile economic configuration, environmental issues, and a traditional dependence on a few economic activities forcing them to open the economy to the exterior. Therefore, their development model, [...] Read more.
Small island developing states (SIDSs) traditionally face a set of challenges like the weak and highly fragile economic configuration, environmental issues, and a traditional dependence on a few economic activities forcing them to open the economy to the exterior. Therefore, their development model, like in Cape Verde, depends on migration, remittances, dependence on aid, tourism, and state employment. The current research offers an insight into the nature of Cape Verde’s economy as a SIDS economy and the degree to which the country has been relying on tourism receipts, external remittances from migrations, aid programs, and government services. Understanding Cape Verde’s development model is important to clarify the challenges the country faces and its development needs to gather a long-term resilience and to understand if it is changing from a MIRAB (Migrations, Remittances, Aid, and Bureaucracy) model into another one. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS): Tourism Between Innovation and Authenticity for Better Sustainable Developing Paths)
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