Contemporary sustainability themes in tourism and hospitality during and post COVID‐19: Critical review and a step strategies forward for post the pandemic

Abstract

The onset of COVID‐19 has challenged economies and industries globally and thwarted their contributions towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). In coping with the COVID‐19‐related challenges, the global tourism and hospitality industry is also affected to its worst level. Thus, researchers employed bibliometric analysis and a science mapping approach to investigate the structure of the contemporary sustainable issues in tourism and hospitality research during COVID‐19, the most productive and impactful research constituents (journals, organizations, countries, and authors), the most impactful research works, the major emerging research themes, and the agenda for future research. The results of the bibliographic data (Scopus, Jan 2020–Sep 2022) analysis revealed that research in the selected field is still at a very nascent stage. The majority of the research papers focus on ‘responsible consumption and production (UNSDG‐12)’, ‘good health and well‐being (UNSDG‐3)’, and ‘decent work and economic growth (UNSDG‐8)’. The science mapping approach led to the development of eight propositions related to the emerging themes of knowledge. The researchers have discussed each research theme in detail and laid out an agenda for future research.