Migration-tourism relationship: A bibliometric analysis of trends towards sustainable local development

Abstract

The connection between migration and tourism is growing stronger, and this has changed the way local development processes are conceived. Human mobility and tourism activity converge as drivers of territorial, economic, and cultural change in host communities. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyze the evolution of scientific knowledge linking these two aspects to sustainable local development. To this end, a bibliometric study was conducted using the Scopus database to identify thematic trends, influential authors, specialized journals, and research gaps that highlight the increasing role of migrants in the creation and/or shaping of inclusive and resilient tourism destinations. The study shows that migrants are not merely passive recipients of tourism policies, but rather active agents of local development. Through their knowledge, networks, and cultural expressions, they contribute to strengthening territorial vitality and social cohesion. This leads to the proposal of the concept of “tourism diaspora” as an analytical framework that positions migrant communities as collective actors capable of promoting local development through tourism, integrating identity, sustainability, and transnational participation.