The adaptive capacity of tourism businesses as an issue linked to sectoral structuring: a comparative perspective between the Balearic Islands and Corsica

The tourism sector remains inherently vulnerable to crises of all kinds, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, volcanic activity, and pandemics. The unprecedented disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought global tourism to a virtual standstill for several months, has prompted a critical reassessment of tourism specialization and sparked renewed debate on the potential for sustainable transformation within the sector (Girard & Schéou, 2020). In light of this period of reflection, this study seeks to examine the broader developments that have shaped the tourism sector since the early 2000s. Particular attention is given to the consequences of rising collective awareness of climate change as well as evolving tourist expectations—such as increasing demands for authenticity and flexibility (Marcotte, Bourdeau, & Sarrasin, 2017). The central objective of this research is to investigate and compare the transformations implemented by tourism enterprises in Corsica and the Balearic Islands as they adapt to the profound changes experienced by the sector over recent decades. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of relevant databases with qualitative insights derived from interviews. Our analytical perspective focuses on the distinct organizational structures of tourism enterprises in both regions. Despite tourism accounting for a significant share of regional GDP in both island contexts (approximately 40%), we observe a divergence in tourism models: an "integrated" model prevails in the Balearic Islands, whereas Corsica is characterized by a "non-integrated" model. The research examines the adaptive capacity of enterprises through their innovation potential, which is itself closely linked to the level of foreign investment received by tourism businesses (Coussi, 2016). The findings are expected to shed light on the resilience and sustainability of tourism models in the face of ongoing structural and environmental challenges.