Tourism and the sharing economy: research gaps and insights

Purpose This study examines the academic reflections of the sharing economy in the field of tourism through a systematic approach. The aim is to reveal the thematic areas, methodological approaches, geographical focuses and theoretical frameworks in which the sharing economy is addressed in the context of tourism. Design/methodology/approach A total of 690 articles published between 2010 and 2024 were analyzed using the scoping review method, based on a comprehensive literature search conducted across four academic databases. Findings The findings show that the literature is largely concentrated on the accommodation sector, particularly around the Airbnb platform. Studies mostly focus on individual themes such as user motivations, trust and consumer behavior, and mostly use quantitative methods. Geographically, North America and Western European countries are at the forefront, while developing countries are represented to a limited extent in the literature. Research limitations/implications This review highlights the geographical imbalance and limited theoretical scope of current research while offering practical insights for businesses, policymakers and communities to navigate the challenges and opportunities of platform-mediated tourism. Originality/value The study draws attention to the gaps in the literature in terms of theoretical diversity, methodological approaches and participant profiles. In this respect, the research points to the need for more inclusive and critical studies on the multidimensional impacts of the sharing economy in tourism.