Metaverse in Tourism and Hospitality Research – A Systematic Literature Review
T Unnikrishnan, P. S. Sibi · Atna Journal of Tourism Studies · 2025
This research paper consolidates the current literature on the convergence of the Metaverse, Tourism, and the Hospitality sector. Using a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA framework, the study thoroughly examined 137 papers from the Scopus Database, eventually selecting 22 relevant sources. A content analysis was used to investigate the subtle details of studies connected to the Metaverse in the context of tourism.The study revealed that there was a strong emphasis on conceptual and qualitative approaches, which indicates that the integration of the Metaverse in these businesses is still in its early stages. The findings notably emphasise a lack of research in essential sub-domains such as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), cultural heritage, and tourism marketing. This highlights the necessity for additional exploration and empirical research in these domains to fully comprehend the diverse influence of the Metaverse on the tourist and hospitality industry. This research enhances our understanding of the changing interactions between the Metaverse and traditional sectors, providing valuable insights for academic researchers and industry professionals.