US, April 10 -- On a narrow strip of coral land surrounded by vast Pacific blue, a new pier rises quietly from the lagoon. Nearby, under the shade of pandanus trees, women weave palm-leaf baskets the same way their ancestors did for generations.

These scenes capture a country attempting something rare in global tourism: growth without losing itself.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is not trying to become the next mass-market island destination. Instead, it is crafting a deliberate, small-scale tourism model-one built on culture, sustainability, and partnerships, including growing support from Taiwan.

A Tourism Industry Designed to Stay Small With just a few thousand visitors a year, tourism here remains one of the smallest in the ...