Tourism represents an opportunity for boosting the development of marginalized, less populated areas. However, poor management of the tourism supply can lead to unbalanced territorial development. In recent years, Mediterranean islands have experienced an increase in tourist presence, due to global tourism trends and low-cost international travel. The case study of Corsica offers an opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by islands experiencing growing tourism pressure. Through the lens of the STESY model this research describe and analyze the island’s tourism phenomena. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of tourism distribution across the territory, identify both critical issues and strengths, and support the design of context-specific, targeted strategies. The methodological framework combining open data and cluster analysis to identify local tourism Destination Areas. The design proposal “The Maquis Way”, envisions the reuse of a dismissed railway as a cycling route to connect Corsica’s eastern coast with inland areas, enhancing spatial and tourism connectivity. By positioning tourism as a core component of territorial planning, the study contributes to the debate on sustainable urban development and offers a decision-support framework aligned with the principles of the New Urban Agenda.