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Mapping Innovation and Sustainability in Rural Tourism: A Bibliometric Approach

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  • Maria Lúcia Pato

    (CERNAS-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Ana Sofia Duque

    (CEGOT, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal)

Abstract

Innovation and sustainability have become dynamic tools to foster success in rural tourism. However, the effects of the two concepts in rural tourism have been largely overlooked. Hence, it seems timely to present a quantitative survey of the literature in these topics. Based on 94 articles published in the Scopus database, we found that innovation and sustainability in rural tourism is mostly a European concern, with the bulk of the articles published in the last ten years. China, Italy, and Spain are the main countries under analysis and the Sustainability Journal is the major outlet for dissemination of knowledge. This study can serve as a strategic guide for researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurs in the sector, supporting evidence-based decision-making. It has sought to understand the evolution of the existing literature on sustainable and innovative rural tourism; it has identified the most influential researchers and research centers that can promote future collaborations; and it has identified approaches and trends that are shaping the future of sustainable rural tourism. However, given the potential for innovation and sustainability towards rural tourism success, particularly in less developed and undeveloped countries, more research that ties all these three topics together is imperative.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Lúcia Pato & Ana Sofia Duque, 2025. "Mapping Innovation and Sustainability in Rural Tourism: A Bibliometric Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2574-:d:1612661
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ezwani Azmi & Rosniza Aznie Che Rose & Azahan Awang & Azlan Abas, 2023. "Innovative and Competitive: A Systematic Literature Review on New Tourism Destinations and Products for Tourism Supply," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Mariana Antunes & Álvaro Dias & Francisco Gonçalves & Bruno Sousa & Leandro Pereira, 2023. "Measuring Sustainable Tourism Lifestyle Entrepreneurship Orientation to Improve Tourist Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-14, January.
    3. Vasco Santos & Maria José Sousa & Carlos Costa & Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira, 2021. "Tourism towards Sustainability and Innovation: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kibru Alemu Gedecho & Abdi Shukri Yasin & Bernadett Horváthné Kovács & Zsuzsanna Bacsi, 2025. "Rural Tourism and Land Use: Unveiling Global Research Trends, Gaps, and Future Pathways," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-24, September.

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