New Frontiers in Tourism and Hospitality Research: An Exploration of Current Trends and Future Opportunities

Abstract

The global economy depends heavily on the tourism and hospitality industries, and research in these fields has grown and changed significantly in recent years. With an emphasis on newly opened research areas, this study intends to examine current trends and potential future directions in tourism and hospitality research. To identify significant themes and areas of research interest, the study focuses on a thorough examination of the literature, which includes both theoretical and empirical investigations. A historical review of tourism and hospitality research is given at the outset of the study, showing how it has developed from early studies of visitor behaviour to more contemporary studies on sustainability, technology and globalisation. The authors then go through the most recent developments in the industry, such as the expanding significance of experience and co-creation in tourism, the use of social media and online platforms to increase consumer interaction and the rise of new business models and forms of cooperation. Along with these current trends, the paper also identifies a number of potential areas for future research, such as the incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning into tourism and hospitality operations, the creation of fresh perspectives on sustainability and responsible tourism and the investigation of novel forms of tourism like space tourism and virtual reality tourism. The authors also highlight the importance of conducting more multidisciplinary research in the tourism and hospitality industries, incorporating knowledge from disciplines like psychology, sociology and anthropology. The need for ongoing innovation and teamwork in tourism and hospitality research is emphasised in the paper’s conclusion, along with the field’s ability to support larger social goals including sustainable development, cultural exchange and economic progress. Overall, this article offers a thorough assessment of recent developments in tourism and hospitality research and gives a roadmap for future studies in this dynamic and quickly developing area.