As tourism is becoming one of the most important sectors of the world economy, the number of small islands trying to develop a competitive tourist activity is increasing and this strategy appears as growth enhancing. In most cases, it relies on the environmental quality of the destination, but also on lodging infrastructures and related services that tourists deserve in order to enjoy a good experience. This paper explores the intertemporal trade-off between investments and environmental quality preservation needed to ensure tourism profitability in the long run. It highlights the possible cyclical evolution of environmental quality, tourist infrastructures, investments and visitor numbers, considering both the central planner and the market solutions.