ESIC Market

Buscador

Digital sustainable tourism. A research review

Abstract

Objective: Digitalisation and sustainability arise as two key issues on the agenda of any agent working in the tourism sector today. For that reason, this paper aims to carry out a review of the literature on digitalisation and sustainability in tourism and hospitality.

Methodology: To that end, 100 articles are analysed through a systematic literature review in accordance with various classifications such as national context, study scope, research methods, statistical techniques, technologies and topics.

Results: The main contribution is a classification of the digitalisation and sustainability area within tourism and hospitality at three levels: MACRO (supra-environment and trends); MESO (enterprises and other organisations); and MICRO (individuals: tourists, employees and residents).

Limitations: The most important limitation lies in the choice of the works to be examined, namely: articles published in indexed journals within the category of Hospitality, Sports and Tourism on WoS. We thus discarded articles related to other fields, as well as books or conference papers.

Practical implications: An underlying need exists to manage ICTs ethically on a long-term basis and with a sense of social responsibility, insofar as, although tourism and its associated agents offer plenty of opportunities, they likewise pose multiple challenges for both the environment and society.

References

Adema, K. L., & Roehl, W. S. (2010). Environmental scanning the future of event design. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 29(2), 199-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2009.10.017

Ai, J., Lv, X., & Gursoy, D. (2023). Impact of social media posts on travelers’ attitudes and behaviors towards a destination after a natural disaster: moderating role of the source of the post. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(11), 2460-2478. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1831002

Arici, H. E., Cakmakoglu Arıcı, N., & Altinay, L. (2023). The use of big data analytics to discover customers’ perceptions of and satisfaction with green hotel service quality. Current Issues in Tourism, 26(2), 270-288. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2022.2029832

Assaker, G., & O’Connor, P. (2023). The importance of green certification labels/badges in online hotel booking choice: A conjoint investigation of consumers’ preferences pre-and post-COVID-19. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 64(4), 401-414. https://doi.org/10.1177/19389655231184474

Balakrishnan, J., Dwivedi, Y. K., Malik, F. T., & Baabdullah, A. M. (2023). Role of smart tourism technology in heritage tourism development. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(11), 2506-2525. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1995398

Bastidas-Manzano, A. B., Sánchez-Fernández, J., & Casado-Aranda, L. A. (2021). The past, present, and future of smart tourism destinations: a bibliometric analysis. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 45(3), 529-552. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348020967062

Camatti, N., Bertocchi, D., Carić, H., & van der Borg, J. (2020). A digital response system to mitigate overtourism. The case of Dubrovnik. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 37(8-9), 887-901. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2020.1828230

Casais, B., & Ferreira, L. (2023). Smart and sustainable hotels: tourism agenda 2030 perspective article. Tourism Review, 78(2), 344-351. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-12-2022-0619

Chan, E. S., & Hsu, C. H. (2016). Environmental management research in hospitality. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 28(5), 886-923. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-02-2015-0076

Chan, E. S., Okumus, F., & Chan, W. (2020). What hinders hotels’ adoption of environmental technologies: A quantitative study. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 84, 102324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2019.102324

Chen, G., Cheng, M., Edwards, D., & Xu, L. (2022). COVID-19 pandemic exposes the vulnerability of the sharing economy: a novel accounting framework. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(5), 1141-1158. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1868484

Cho, B. K., Park, J. Y., & Lee, Y. K. (2023). Do green practices and green image promote consumers’ participation in social network sites (SNS)? Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 32(5), 631-648. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2023.2191595

Chou, S. F., Horng, J. S., Liu, C. H., Yu, T. Y., & Kuo, Y. T. (2022). Identifying the critical factors for sustainable marketing in the catering: The influence of big data applications, marketing innovation, and technology acceptance model factors. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 51, 11-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2022.02.010

Coghlan, A., Becken, S., & Warren, C. (2023). Modelling a smart tech user journey to decarbonise tourist accommodation. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(3), 840-858. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2022.2030344

D'Acunto, D., Filieri, R., & Amato, S. (2023). Hotels’ environmentally-framed eWOM. The moderating role of environmental culture. Tourism Management, 98, 104776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2023.104776

Farmaki, A., Kladou, S., & Ioannides, D. (2023). Corporate social responsibility in peer-to-peer accommodation: a focus on Airbnb. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(12), 4348-4364. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-09-2022-1162

Feeney, M., Grohnert, T., Gijselaers, W., & Martens, P. (2023). Organizations, learning, and sustainability: A cross-disciplinary review and research agenda. Journal of Business Ethics, 184(1), 217-235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05072-7

Fernández-Díaz, E., Jambrino-Maldonado, C., Iglesias-Sánchez, P. P., & de las Heras-Pedrosa, C. (2023). Digital accessibility of smart cities-tourism for all and reducing inequalities: tourism agenda 2030. Tourism Review, 78(2), 361-380. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-02-2022-0091

Floros, C., Cai, W., McKenna, B., & Ajeeb, D. (2021). Imagine being off-the-grid: Millennials’ perceptions of digital-free travel. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(5), 751-766. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2019.1675676

Foronda-Robles, C.; Galindo-Pérez-de-Azpillaga, L. & Fernández-Tabales, A. (2023). Progress and stakes in sustainable tourism: indicators for smart coastal destinations. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(7), 1518-1537. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1864386

Galati, A., Thrassou, A., Christofi, M., Vrontis, D., & Migliore, G. (2023). Exploring travelers’ willingness to pay for green hotels in the digital era. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(11), 2546-2563. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.2016777

Gallego-Nicholls, J. F., Ortigosa-Blanch, A., Sánchez-García, J., & Rivera-Lirio, J. M. (2025). Sustainable development goals and corporate sustainability reporting: a bibliometric analysis. ESIC Market, 56(1), e345-e345. https://doi.org/10.7200/esicm.56.345

Garay, L., Morales, S., & Wilson, J. (2020). Tweeting the right to the city: Digital protest and resistance surrounding the Airbnb effect. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 20(3), 246-267. https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250.2020.1772867

García-Sánchez, I. M., Piñeiro-Chousa, J. R., Aibar-Guzmán, C., & Aibar-Guzmán, B. (2024). Environmental products and sustainability awards: The intangible benefits of sustainability strategies. ESIC Market, 55(1), e353-e353. https://doi.org/10.7200/esicm.55.353

Go, H., & Kang, M. (2023). Metaverse tourism for sustainable tourism development: Tourism agenda 2030. Tourism Review, 78(2), 381-394. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-02-2022-0102

Gonzalez, R., Gasco, J., & Llopis, J. (2020). Information and communication technologies and human resources in hospitality and tourism. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 32(11), 3545-3579. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-04-2020-0272

Gonzalez, R., Gasco, J., & Llopis, J. (2022). Information and communication technologies in food services and restaurants: a systematic review. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 34(4), 1423-1447. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-05-2021-0624

González-Tejero, C. B., Escobar, S. G., & González-Herrera, M. R. (2025). Evaluating efficiency in tourism: a contemporary literature review. ESIC Market, 56(1), e330-e330. https://doi.org/10.7200/esicm.56.330

Gössling, S. (2017). Tourism, information technologies and sustainability: an exploratory review. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(7), 1024-1041. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2015.1122017

Gössling, S. (2021). Tourism, technology and ICT: a critical review of affordances and concessions. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(5), 733-750. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1873353

Gössling, S., & Hall, C. M. (2019). Sharing versus collaborative economy: how to align ICT developments and the SDGs in tourism? Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 27(1), 74-96. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2018.1560455

Gühnemann, A., Kurzweil, A., & Mailer, M. (2021). Tourism mobility and climate change-a review of the situation in Austria. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 34, 100382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2021.100382

Hales, R., & Caton, K. (2017). Proximity ethics, climate change and the flyer’s dilemma: Ethical negotiations of the hypermobile traveller. Tourist Studies, 17(1), 94-113. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468797616685650

Harrison, S. J., Winterbottom, S. J., & Sheppard, C. (1999). The potential effects of climate change on the Scottish tourist industry. Tourism Management, 20(2), 203-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(98)00072-7

Huang, S., Wang, X., & Qu, H. (2023). Impact of perceived corporate social responsibility on peer-to-peer accommodation consumers’ repurchase intention and switching intention. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 32(7), 893-916. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2023.2214549

Huy, L. V., Phan, Q. P. T., Phan, H. L., Pham, N. T., & Nguyen, N. (2022). Improving tourists’ green electronic word-of-mouth: a mediation and moderation analysis. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 27(5), 547-561. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2022.2091942

Ivanov, S., Duglio, S., & Beltramo, R. (2023). Robots in tourism and Sustainable Development Goals: Tourism Agenda 2030 perspective article. Tourism Review, 78(2), 352-360. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-08-2022-0404

Ivars-Baidal, J. A., Vera-Rebollo, J. F., Perles-Ribes, J., Femenia-Serra, F., & Celdrán-Bernabeu, M. A. (2023). Sustainable tourism indicators: what’s new within the smart city/destination approach? Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(7), 1556-1582. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1876075

Joo, K., Kim, H. M., & Hwang, J. (2023). How to enhance behavioral intentions in the context of indoor smart farm restaurants: focusing on internal environmental locus of control. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 40(3), 260-274. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2023.2239840

Kapoor, P. S., Balaji, M. S., Jiang, Y., & Jebarajakirthy, C. (2022). Effectiveness of Travel Social Media Influencers: A Case of Eco-Friendly Hotels. Journal of Travel Research, 61(5), 1138-1155. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875211019469

Karakas, E., & Atay, L. (2023). The impact of smart destination implementations in Malaga. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 14(5), 815-837. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-09-2021-0263

Kim, M. J., & Hall, C. M. (2022). Do smart apps encourage tourists to walk and cycle? Comparing heavy versus non-heavy users of smart apps. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 27(7), 763-779. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2022.2119423

Kim, M. J., Hall, C. M., Chung, N., Kim, M., & Sohn, K. (2023). Why do tourists use public transport in Korea? The roles of artificial intelligence knowledge, environmental, social, and governance, and sustainability. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 28(5), 467-484. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2023.2247099

Kubo, T., Uryu, S., Yamano, H., Tsuge, T., Yamakita, T., & Shirayama, Y. (2020). Mobile phone network data reveal nationwide economic value of coastal tourism under climate change. Tourism Management, 77, 104010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2019.104010

Kuo, F. I., Fang, W. T., & LePage, B. A. (2022). Proactive environmental strategies in the hotel industry: eco-innovation, green competitive advantage, and green core competence. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(6), 1240-1261. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1931254

Law, R., Leung, D., Au, N. and Lee, H. (2013). Progress and development of information technology in the hospitality industry: Evidence from Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 54(1), 10-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1938965512453199

Leal, F., Malheiro, B., Veloso, B., & Burguillo, J. C. (2021). Responsible processing of crowdsourced tourism data. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(5), 774–794. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1778011

Lee, T. H., & Jan, F. H. (2023). How do smart tourism experiences affect visitors’ environmentally responsible behavior? Influence analysis of nature-based tourists in Taiwan. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 55, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2023.02.016

Leonidou, L. C., Leonidou, C. N., Fotiadis, T. A., & Zeriti, A. (2013). Resources and capabilities as drivers of hotel environmental marketing strategy: Implications for competitive advantage and performance. Tourism management, 35, 94-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2012.06.003

Liu, C. H. S., & Dong, T. P. (2021). Discovering the relationship among knowledge management, sustainability marketing and service improvement: the moderating role of consumer interest. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 33(8), 2799-2816. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-12-2020-1468

Masa’deh, R. E., Alananzeh, O., Algiatheen, N., Ryati, R., Albayyari, R., & Tarhini, A. (2017). The impact of employee’s perception of implementing green supply chain management on hotel’s economic and operational performance. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 8(3), 395-416. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-02-2017-0011

Mehraliyev, F., Chan, I. C. C., Choi, Y., Koseoglu, M. A., & Law, R. (2020). A state-of-the-art review of smart tourism research. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 37(1), 78-91. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2020.1712309

Mejia, C. (2019). Influencing green technology use behavior in the hospitality industry and the role of the “green champion” Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 28(5), 538-557. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2019.1539935

Miller, B. (2021). Is technology value-neutral? Science, Technology, & Human Values, 46(1), 53-80. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162243919900965

Mkono, M. (2018). The age of digital activism in tourism: evaluating the legacy and limitations of the Cecil anti-trophy hunting movement. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 26(9), 1608-1624. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2018.1489399

Mkono, M., Hughes, K., & Echentille, S. (2020). Hero or villain? Responses to Greta Thunberg’s activism and the implications for travel and tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 28(12), 2081-2098. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1789157

Molina-Collado, A., Santos-Vijande, M. L., Gómez-Rico, M., & Madera, J. M. (2022). Sustainability in hospitality and tourism: a review of key research topics from 1994 to 2020. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 34(8), 3029-3064. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-10-2021-1305

Nusair, K. (2020). Developing a comprehensive life cycle framework for social media research in hospitality and tourism: a bibliometric method 2002-2018. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 32(3), 1041-1066. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-09-2019-0777

Nusair, K., Butt, I., & Nikhashemi, S. R. (2019). A bibliometric analysis of social media in hospitality and tourism research. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 31(7), 2691-2719. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-06-2018-0489

Okumus, F., Kuyucak Sengur, F., Koseoglu, M. A., & Sengur, Y. (2020). What do companies report for their corporate social responsibility practices on their corporate websites? Evidence from a global airline company. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 11(3), 385-405. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-01-2019-0007

Oswald, L., & Ernst, A. (2020). Flying in the face of climate change: quantitative psychological approach examining the social drivers of individual air travel. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(1), 68-86. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1812616

Özköse, H., Uyar Oğuz, H., & Aslan, A. (2023). Scientific mapping of smart tourism: a content analysis study. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 28(9), 923-948. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2023.2283601

Paladini, S., & Saha, K. (2023). The quest for sustainability in lower orbit: Conceptual models for space tourism. International Journal of Tourism Research, 25(3), 333-349. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2568

Park, E., Chae, B., & Kwon, J. (2020). The structural topic model for online review analysis: Comparison between green and non-green restaurants. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 11(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-08-2017-0075

Pasquinelli, C., & Trunfio, M. (2020). Overtouristified cities: An online news media narrative analysis. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 28(11), 1805-1824. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1760871

Pencarelli, T. (2020). The digital revolution in the travel and tourism industry. Information Technology & Tourism, 22(3), 455-476. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-019-00160-3

Qi, R., & Chen, H. (2023). Do efforts to address safety pay off? Evidence from the sharing economy in the post-pandemic world. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(4), 1238-1263. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-01-2022-0005

Rastegar, R., Zarezadeh, Z. (Zara), & Gretzel, U. (2021). World heritage and social justice: Insights from the inscription of Yazd, Iran. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(2-3), 521-540. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1782925

Ray, A., Ray, A., Bala, P. K., & Rana, N. P. (2023). What affects the use of green technology in hotels? Assessing hotel management viewpoint using natural language processing based qualitative study. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 32(7), 917-946. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2023.2221256

Ricker, B. A., Johnson, P. A., & Sieber, R. E. (2013). Tourism and environmental change in Barbados: gathering citizen perspectives with volunteered geographic information (VGI). Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 21(2), 212-228. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2012.699059

Rodrigues, V., Eusébio, C., & Breda, Z. (2023). Enhancing sustainable development through tourism digitalisation: a systematic literature review. Information Technology & Tourism, 25(1), 13-45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-022-00241-w

Rydzik, A., & Kissoon, C. S. (2022). Decent work and tourism workers in the age of intelligent automation and digital surveillance. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(12), 2860-2877. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1928680

Scarinci, J., & Myers, T. (2014). A Semantic Web framework to enable sustainable lodging best management practices in the USA. Information Technology & Tourism, 14, 291-315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-014-0011-y

Seyfi, S., Hall, C. M., Vo-Thanh, T., & Zaman, M. (2023a). How does digital media engagement influence sustainability-driven political consumerism among Gen Z tourists? Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(11), 2441-2459. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2022.2112588

Seyfi, S., Hall, C. M., Saarinen, J., & Vo-Thanh, T. (2023b). Understanding drivers and barriers affecting tourists’ engagement in digitally mediated pro-sustainability boycotts. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(11), 2526-2545. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.2013489

Shin, J., & Hwang, Y. (2023). Sending warmth with corporate social responsibility communication: Leveraging consumers’ need to belong. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 54, 336-345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2022.12.022

Slocum, S. L., & Lee, S. (2014). Green ICT practices in event management: case study approach to examine motivation, management and fiscal return on investment. Information Technology & Tourism, 14, 347-362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-014-0019-3

Suárez-Rojas, C., Hernández, M. M. G., & León, C. J. (2023). Sustainability in whale-watching: A literature review and future research directions based on regenerative tourism. Tourism Management Perspectives, 47, 101120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2023.101120

Sung, K. S. K., & Lee, S. (2023). Customer brand co-creation behavior and brand sincerity through CSR interactivity: The role of psychological implications in service-dominant logic. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 108, 103388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2022.103388

Tham, A., & Sigala, M. (2020). Road block (chain): bit (coin) s for tourism sustainable development goals? Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 11(2), 203-222. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-05-2019-0069

Vu, H. Q., Muskat, B., Li, G., & Law, R. (2020). Improving the resident–tourist relationship in urban hotspots. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(4), 595-615. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1818087

Wilson, J., Garay-Tamajon, L., & Morales-Perez, S. (2022). Politicising platform-mediated tourism rentals in the digital sphere: Airbnb in Madrid and Barcelona. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(5), 1080-1101. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1866585

Wut, T. M., Xu, J., & Wong, S. M. H. (2023). Timing and congruence effects of corporate social responsibility practices on social media crises in the tourism industry. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 14(2), 154-171. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-02-2022-0043

Xu, J., & Au, T. (2023). Destination competitiveness since 2010: research themes, approaches, and agenda. Tourism Review, 78(3), 665-696. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-10-2022-0494

Yang, Y., Jiang, L., & Wang, Y. (2023). Why do hotels go green? Understanding TripAdvisor GreenLeaders participation. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(5), 1670-1690. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-02-2022-0252

Zheng, X., Huang, J., Wu, J., Sun, S., & Wang, S. (2023). Emerging trends in online reviews research in hospitality and tourism: A scientometric update (2000-2020). Tourism Management Perspectives, 47, 101105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2023.101105

Zizka, L. (2017). The (mis)use of social media to communicate CSR in hospitality: Increasing stakeholders’ (dis)engagement through social media. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 8(1), 73-86. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-07-2016-0037

How to Cite

Gonzalez, R., Gasco, J., & Llopis, J. (2025). Digital sustainable tourism. A research review. ESIC Market, 56(3), e444. https://doi.org/10.7200/esicm.56.444