Bibliometric analysis on "tourism" and "competitiveness", from 2000 to 2023

Tourist destinations are geographical areas characterised by a diverse set of natural, cultural and man-made attractions that motivate visitors to travel in search of unique experiences, leisure, relaxation or knowledge. These destinations comprise interdependent elements such as infrastructure, services, hospitality, safety and accessibility, which collectively shape the tourist experience and influence destination performance. A key determinant of destination competitiveness lies in the ability to attract, satisfy and retain tourists in a sustainable manner, thereby increasing market share over time. To examine this topic, the study employs a bibliometric approach focusing on the concept of tourist destination competitiveness, based on three indicators: authorship, year of publication and journal. The results indicate that destination competitiveness encompasses multiple conceptual and practical dimensions, highlighting its multidisciplinary nature. The analysis also reveals a significant growth and increasing analytical sophistication in scientific production on this subject, with the incorporation of diverse methodological approaches, including comparative quantitative studies across destinations and qualitative research centred on the perceptions of stakeholders and tourists. The originality of this study resides in its systematic and quantitative mapping of the scientific landscape of publications on tourist destination competitiveness between 2000 and 2023, offering a structured and up-to-date overview of academic contributions and identifying potential directions for future research in the tourism field.DOI: https://doi.org/10.54663/2182-9306.2026.SpecialIssueCMTH.1-10