EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION OF TOURISM AND COCOA-BASED PRODUCTS: A SIGNIFICANT LITERATURE REVIEW

The intersection of tourism and cocoa-based products presents a growing area of interest within sustainable development and cultural heritage studies. Despite increasing scholarly attention, a consolidated understanding of how cocoa-related initiatives contribute to tourism remains limited. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) aims to bridge this gap by analyzing the current body of research related to cocoa and tourism using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Articles from Scopus and ScienceDirect yielded a final sample of 12 primary studies. The analysis revealed three major thematic areas: Chocolate and Agro-Tourism Development, emphasizing how cocoa-based experiences stimulate rural economies and enhance tourist engagement; Socio-Historical and Cultural Dimensions of Chocolate, highlighting the role of chocolate in shaping local identities and cultural narratives; and Sustainability and Logistical Challenges in Cacao Supply Chains, focusing on the environmental and operational constraints impacting cocoa-tourism synergy. Results suggest that while cocoa-related tourism holds significant potential for socio-economic growth and cultural preservation, it also faces considerable logistical and sustainability challenges. The review underscores the need for integrated strategies that align tourism development with ethical sourcing, cultural integrity, and environmental stewardship. This study contributes to the emerging discourse on food-based tourism and provides a foundation for future interdisciplinary research in the field.