Abstract
This review study aims to analyze how a small island destination, exemplified by Samal in the Davao Gulf (Philippines), can achieve rapid tourism growth and transition into a competitive regional destination. It seeks to identify key drivers and strategies behind its successful development. The research examines the pathways by which a small island destination can transform into a “rising star” in the contemporary tourism market. The research employed a review-based approach combining secondary tourism data from 2015 to 2024 with a detailed case study analysis of Samal Island. The study employed a destination development framework to evaluate the impact of institutional, environmental, and socio-economic factors on growth. The findings indicate that Samal’s tourism growth is driven by interconnected elements, including sustainable practices, the utilization of cultural and natural resources, and collaborative governance. These factors collectively enhanced the island’s visibility and competitiveness in Southeast Asia’s tourism landscape. The study concludes that even small, resource-limited destinations can reposition themselves successfully in regional tourism hierarchies through sustainable management, effective cooperation among stakeholders, and strategic leveraging of local assets. The contribution of this research lies in providing review evidence from the emerging island context of Southeast Asia, illustrating that even modestly resource-endowed destinations can successfully reposition themselves in regional tourism hierarchies when attractive resources and inclusive governance come together.