Insularity's Dual Role in Tourism: Bridging Competitive Advantage and Structural Fragility in Mature Island Destinations

The central research hypothesis states that the coexistence of high tourism performance and underlying structural fragilities can be explained through a set of factors aligned with the Crouch and Ritchie (2003) destination competitiveness model.

Specifically, we hypothesise that: (i) higher tourism intensity and economic tertiarisation increase competitive vulnerability; (ii) stronger air connectivity reduces structural–economic vulnerability; (iii) systemic shocks (e.g., COVID-19) generate persistent increases in vulnerability; and (iv) higher median income is associated with lower internal fragility. The dataset consists of a balanced panel covering five islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Palma), integrating annual indicators on tourism demand, accommodation supply, air transport capacity, socioeconomic conditions, and labour market characteristics.