Tourism psychology: Past, present, and future

This narrative review identifies and critically discusses the key research streams which have shaped tourism psychology research. The review finds that cognitive, social, environmental, positive, and evolutionary psychology have significantly contributed to the current developments of tourism psychology. However, tourism research drawing on each of these branches of psychology has not met its full potential. The review identifies four current challenges in the field: (1) an overreliance on specific theories, (2) misrepresentations of modern psychology concepts and theories, (3) a lack of adaptation of psychology theories to tourism, and (4) a lack of research on non-tourist stakeholders. The paper offers suggestions on how these challenges can be addressed to further develop the field. • The article reviews research streams which have shaped tourism psychology research. • A significant number of modern psychology theories remain untapped within tourism. • Four challenges can hamper the healthy development of tourism psychology. • A research agenda is proposed to bring tourism psychology together and forward.