Julia Adelina, Retnaningtyas Susanti, Hermansyah, Yunia Wardi, Ririn Tri Ratnasari, Loso Judijanto, Riadi Budiman, Safril Gazali, Al Amin, Heru Widoyo, Derizal, Putri Ayu
This study investigates the evolution of knowledge and emerging trends in sustainable tourism research during the period 2023–2025 using a comprehensive bibliometric analysis conducted in R Studio. The analysis is based on a dataset of 12,238 publications indexed in the Scopus database, ensuring broad international coverage of scholarly output in tourism and sustainability studies. The data were processed using the Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny packages to evaluate key performance indicators, publication growth patterns, co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence structures, and thematic evolution across the research landscape. These analytical approaches allow the study to capture both quantitative productivity patterns and conceptual shifts within the field. The findings indicate a strong post-pandemic transformation in sustainable tourism research, marked by increasing attention to regenerative tourism, digital transformation, and the development of climate-neutral and environmentally responsible destinations. Scholars increasingly emphasize the role of smart technologies, data-driven destination management, and innovative governance mechanisms to support long-term sustainability goals. Regional analysis further shows that Asia, particularly China, has become one of the most influential contributors to scientific output, suggesting a global rebalancing of research productivity and leadership in tourism studies. Thematic mapping also demonstrates a transition from traditional themes such as ecotourism and conservation toward newer discussions centered on AI-driven sustainability solutions, community resilience, and socially inclusive tourism development. These patterns highlight a growing awareness that sustainability requires not only environmental protection but also technological innovation and community participation. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive visualization of current research dynamics while proposing a future research agenda that encourages the integration of digital technologies, ethical governance frameworks, and social equity principles to strengthen sustainable tourism development worldwide. © 2026, Malque Publishing. All rights reserved.
Magister Department of Tourism, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia; Center for Halal Industry Digitalization (CHID), Department of Islamic Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia; Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia; IPOSS, Jakarta, Indonesia; Industrial Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Tanjungpura University, Pontianak, Indonesia; Postgraduate Program, UIN Mahmud Yunus Batusangkar, Batusangkar, Indonesia; Department of Islamic Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Economics and Business, Universitas Islam Negeri Bukittinggi, Bukittinggi, Indonesia; Binus University, Jakarta, Indonesia; Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi, Bukittinggi, Indonesia; Politeknik Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia; Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
