Bibliometric Analysis of Smart Tourism Destination: Knowledge Structure and Research Evolution (2013–2025)

Abstract

Smart tourism destinations, shaped by the integration of tourism and information technology, have become a central theme in international academic research. This study employs bibliometric methods using CiteSpace to conduct co-authorship, co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, and burst analyses, with the aim of mapping the knowledge structure and research evolution of the field. Drawing on 232 articles from the Web of Science Core Collection (2013–2025), the results reveal a shift from technology-centered approaches toward themes of visitor experience, collaborative governance, and sustainable development. The Universitat d’Alacant (Spain) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (China) have emerged as leading research hubs, with Ivars-Baidal and colleagues as major contributors. Foundational studies by Buhalis and Gretzel continue to shape the domain. Keyword trends highlight increasing attention to technological efficiency and sustainable ethics. Overall, the study traces the developmental trajectory of smart tourism destinations, proposes a systematic knowledge framework, and identifies future directions for theoretical integration and methodological innovation. The findings provide both conceptual insights for academic research and strategic guidance for destination governance and policy.