Beyond Doxey, beyond Butler: building upon insights in small island tourism research to extend tourism theory

Research in three small islands finds highly positive resident attitudes towards tourism. This is influenced by several factors. Aware of their peripherality, island communities may be willing to tolerate inconveniences of tourism. Residents adapt to the industry. General sustainability of local tourism means that tolerance and adaptability is not exceeded. Findings challenge pessimism regards sustainability of small island tourism, and assumptions of both the Index of tourism irritation and tourism area life cycle; concepts which have, and continue to underpin, much tourism theory. A new model is proposed, which attempts to better reflect the nuances of resident attitudes.