Introduction: A Journey to the Promised Land

This introductory chapter provides the rationale and objectives for the book, posing the primary research question: how can sport tourism contribute to the sustainable development of small island states or territories? The introduction outlines the guiding hypotheses of this research project, highlighting the multi-dimensional and integrated approach to sustainable development. This study offers a conceptual framework and comparative methodology to the multiple and varied ways in which islands support sustainable development through the promotion of a diverse array of sport tourism activities and events.