Evaluating efficiency in tourism: a contemporary literature review

Objective: In recent years, tourism-related metrics have undergone a remarkable evolution. In this situation, efficiency, defined as the optimal management of resources, is fundamental to evaluate the profitability and usefulness of the products and services offered in different geographical regions. In view of the current competitiveness, internationalisation and multiculturalism, concepts such as sustainability linked to tourism and its management emerge. Therefore, it is crucial to reflect on the evolution and trends of the terms and metrics used to assess tourism efficiency over the years. Methodology: A comprehensive investigation has been developed through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 281 articles extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection until October 2023. Results: Through a SLR this study analyses the state of the art of key efficiency trends in Tourism. The research highlights key trends, underscores the importance of software such as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for analyses and identifies current research gaps. Furthermore, it suggests focusing on digital elements to continue exploring tourism efficiency. Limitations: The research necessitates an update of published studies. The outcomes are contingent upon the inclusion criteria employed. Practical implications: This analysis has implications for academia by raising trends and statistical methods related to tourism efficiency and shedding light on new areas for research. It also sheds light on business leaders in the industry, allowing them to consider new variables and metrics for the analysis and optimisation of tourism activity.