How does the process of inter-organizational commitment develop between tourism firms? This paper proposes and tests a theoretical model of inter-organizational commitment. The model is based on six constructs and was tested on 99 small and medium sized firms. The model exhibits nomological, convergent and discriminant validity, as well as reliability. The contribution of the paper is related to measurement development as well as identifying a unique sequential order to the process of inter-organizational commitment. It also suggests policy implications for successful development of the tourism industry in remote geographical areas.