Metaverse in tourism and hospitality industry: science mapping of the current and future trends

Nazim Hanis Zainal Abidin et al.

Journal of Tourism Futures2025https://doi.org/10.1108/jtf-05-2024-0089article
ABDC B
Weight
0.66

What the paper says

Purpose This study performs a science mapping approach based on bibliometric analysis of the metaverse and its associated technology in tourism and hospitality. As an immersive technology, metaverse has penetrated various segments of human life and business activities. This digital transformation phenomenon has also penetrated tourism and hospitality in mixed reality, comprising virtual, augmented and extended reality. Design/methodology/approach The knowledge structure of the past and future trends in the sector’s metaverse application is analyzed to present the topological and temporal structure by a science mapping approach. Findings Findings show that current and emerging trends are related to tourism mobilities, cultural and heritage tourism, digital landscape transformation and motivation to adopt virtual reality. At the same time, future trends suggest three themes related to the transformation of the tourism industry through the metaverse: immersive heritage exploration, technology adoption in metaverse tourism. Research limitations/implications Metaverse technology will continue impacting tourism services and product offerings. Stakeholders and players in the tourism sector need to adapt to the development of metaverse technology to stay competitive and relevant in today’s digital environment. Originality/value Through a science mapping approach, this study offers a crucial temporal and structural understanding of the metaverse in tourism phenomenon.

21 citations

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jtf-05-2024-0089

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@article{nazim2025,
  title        = {{Metaverse in tourism and hospitality industry: science mapping of the current and future trends}},
  author       = {Nazim Hanis Zainal Abidin et al.},
  journal      = {Journal of Tourism Futures},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jtf-05-2024-0089},
}

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Metaverse in tourism and hospitality industry: science mapping of the current and future trends

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Evidence weight

0.66

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.70 × 0.4 = 0.28
M · momentum1.00 × 0.15 = 0.15
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.