Exploring overtourism: A bibliographic Mapping of the research trends (2018-2023)

Overtourism is a phenomenon that can negatively impact both the quality of life for local communities and the experiences of tourists. The growing concerns surrounding overtourism have garnered the attention of researchers worldwide, leading to a substantial body of literature on the topic. Numerous studies have explored the impacts, challenges, and potential solutions related to overtourism. However, relatively few bibliometric analyses provide an overarching view of this research field. This gap motivates our study, which aims to offer a comprehensive overview of overtourism research, analyse emerging trends, and identify potential future research directions using bibliometric tools. Specifically, we utilised the Web of Science (WoS) database to collect literature published between 2018 and 2023. The data were analysed using VOSviewer, a statistical tool for visualising bibliometric networks, to map key themes, co-authorship patterns, and citation trends. The findings reveal a growing global interest in overtourism research, with significant emerging areas, including tourism's cultural dimensions, governance, management, and policy development. This bibliometric mapping highlights the global nature of overtourism, stressing its implications for countries currently affected and those potentially at risk. The study underscores the importance of proactive research into preventive measures, particularly in regions where overtourism has not yet become a pressing issue. By providing a comprehensive knowledge map, this study contributes to the understanding of overtourism and supports the development of strategies to mitigate its negative impacts.