Ecotourism research: a bibliometric review Investigação em ecoturismo: uma revisão bibliométrica (original) (raw)

Ecotourism research: a bibliometric review

Tourism & Management Studies, 2023

The paper aims to examine the trends and evolution of ecotourism research in the last 20 years, highlighting co-citations, collaborations, and emerging research themes. A total of 1387 ecotourism-related research from the Web of Science (WoS) database from 1991 to 2021 were analyzed in some bibliometric analyses using CiteSpace V software. The WoS database was scanned using the terms “ecotourism” and “eco-tourism.” While scanning, the “Hospitality, Leisure, Sport, and Tourism” field was selected for filtering, and articles published by September 12, 2021, were accessed. The most frequently studied cluster of topics related to ecotourism includes the creation of local benefits, ecotourism intentions, and community empowerment. The three most frequently used keywords related to ecotourism are “ecotourism,” “tourism,” and “conservation.” The outcome of this research constitutes a unique contribution to the area of ecotourism. The study provides an in-depth bibliometric analysis of publications and identification of important research trends. It also identifies possible avenues for future research in the knowledge domain of ecotourism.

Bibliometric analysis and literature review of ecotourism: Toward sustainable development

Tourism Management Perspectives, 2021

In recent decades, rising consumer interest in visiting relatively less commercialized natural destinations has facilitated the growth of ecotourism. Yet the research on ecotourism is fragmented, presenting gaps in the current understanding of this topic. This study performs a bibliometric analysis to assimilate the present knowledge from a total of 878 articles published in six reputable outlets between 1990 and 2019. The study analyzed citation chains and coauthorship networks to acknowledge contributions from select authors, organizations, and countries. Next, a cocitation analysis of the prior literature identified four major thematic areas: ecological preservation, residents' interests, the carbon footprint, and tourists' behaviors. Further, a dynamic cocitation analysis technique mapped the development of these thematic areas. Subsequently, a content analysis of the four thematic areas delivered significant insights about prior research in the domain and indicated future avenues of research.

A Decade of Ecotourism Research in Protected Areas: A Bibliometric Analysis

Social and Management Research Journal

The previous progress and future trend of ecotourism research are undergoing a significant paradigm shift in tourism research following the recent Covid-19 pandemic. The present study introduces a bibliometric review investigating of ten years publication between 2010 and 2020 in journal and proceeding documents. By adopting a bibliometric approach, this article addressed five key information’s of journal and proceeding paper publications: (a) years and volume of publications (b) affiliation contribution (c) source and document type (d) the topic covers and (e) publication and intellectual knowledge. 37 relevant publications in the journal and proceeding paper were included in the study after excluding books, books series, chapter in book, thesis, citation document and several parameters. The trend of research on ecotourism has found a downward trend of productions produced per year, except in 2012. Moreover, marketing is the highest main topic of study. Such bibliometric analysis ...

Ecotourism, Sustainable Tourism and Nature Based Tourism: An Analysis of Emerging Fields in Tourism Scientific Literature

Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 2024

The emergence and rapid growth of tourism paradigms such as ecotourism, sustainable tourism, and nature-based tourism signify a shift towards more environmentally and culturally conscious forms of tourism. We conduct a comparative analysis of these emerging fields with the aim of providing insights to the field and inform future research directions in this dynamic area of study. Our investigation spans diverse geographical regions over an extended period (1986-2022) to provide a comprehensive understanding of the global landscape of alternative tourism. The study utilizes descriptive bibliometrics and scientific mapping techniques using data derived from Scopus to depict changes and contributions over time and identify thematic structures and their evolution. Along with more established regional actors such as the US and European contributors, China and Latin America appear as emergent participants. The analyzed fields seem more prone to interdisciplinary approaches and more impactful than the average Tourism research. Also, international collaboration seems to have played a crucial role in advancing research in these topics. Overall, the study reveals a vibrant field with outstanding features in the context of general Tourism scientific area.

Research trends in socio-environmental and socicultural aspects of ecotourism in Latin America (2015-2020)

Praxis & Saber

In Latin America, ecotourism has been relevant in recent years. The objective is to explain research trends in socio-environmental and sociocultural aspects of ecotourism in Latin America between 2015 and 2020 through the documentary review of scientific publications on ecotourism. Quantitative and qualitative data were used. The type of research is descriptive-interpretative and transversal. The hermeneutic method was developed in two phases: heuristic, in which 57 research studies were searched and systematized; and hermeneutic, where data were interpreted with the content analysis technique. Since ecotourism is an emerging field, the trends in socio-environmental problems are sustainable development, environmental management and protection, and socioeconomic aspects. The sociocultural trends are agency, participation, and research. Regarding methodologies, there is a transition from quantitative to mixed, with a predominance of qualitative. In the practices of knowledge producti...

Ecotourism revisited: Last twenty-five years

Czech Journal of Tourism

The concept of ecotourism evolves differently in developing and developed nations due to which the basic principles of ecotourism are in question. The existing literature on ecotourism suggests ambiguity in conceptual understanding of ecotourism. Due to this qualm, ecotourism is evolving into various forms. Different stakeholders with varying objectives related to ecotourism make it further difficult to form the consensus on what constitutes ecotourism. Without the clear understanding of ecotourism, it is difficult to evolve ethics on which the ecotourism principles are based. The focus of this research is to find out the principle components or themes of ecotourism using a content analysis for the development of ecotourism policy and applications. This study identified six key components of ecotourism which are widely accepted by researchers and could be used to shape the fundamental understanding of ecotourism. These themes are: (1) Nature oriented travel; (2) Support of conservat...

International Ecotourism Society, The

The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Travel and Tourism

Ecotourism is tourism done in a specific way that follows a set of principles promoting social, environmental and economic sustainability. When implemented properly based on these principles, it exemplifies the benefits of responsible tourism development and management. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people" (TIES, 1990). This definition clearly outlines the key components of ecotourism: conservation, communities and sustainable travel. Ecotourism represents a set of principles that have been successfully implemented in various communities, and are supported by extensive industry practice and academic research. Those who participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles of ecotourism (TIES, 1990):  Minimize impact.  Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.  Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.  Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.  Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.  Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate. This does not mean that ecotourism can only be accomplished at a particular service level and specific locations (i.e., roughing it in tropical jungles). On the contrary, the principles are there as benchmarks to guide a range of tourism activities involving nature-from luxury, adventure to rural, culinary to educational. Just as there are many different types of ecotourism businesses, ecotourism appeals to a wide range of travelers, of all ages and interests-and considers nature as the primary motivation for engagement. Interestingly, luxury travel is embracing sustainability, as sustainable tourism is progressing into an industry-wide priority. Trends in recent years have included elements such as: creating experiences that place travelers closer to nature, visually and proximally, embedding sustainability into the guest experience (e.g., pedal power for television viewing, tree plantings, visiting schools and supporting local community initiatives, etc.) 1. As with previous reports, these concepts are important when identifying trends, the very of naturebased focused tourism integrates many trends relative to adventure travel, outdoor recreation, business, and of course the mainstream tourism industry.