A systematic review of sociocultural sustainability in tourism and hospitality: trends and gaps

Purpose Sociocultural sustainability has become an increasingly critical dimension within tourism and hospitality (T&H), yet its conceptualization and operationalization remain fragmented. This study conducts a comprehensive systematic literature review to examine the current state of research on sociocultural sustainability in T&H. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing the SPAR-4-SLR protocol, we identified 82 relevant articles from the Web of Science database (2014–2024), focusing exclusively on full-length articles published in English. Through content analysis, we explored the contexts, methodological approaches and thematic focuses of existing studies. Findings The review revealed that research on sociocultural sustainability in tourism and hospitality is heavily concentrated on community well-being and cultural heritage preservation, while themes such as social equity, resident behavior and intercultural exchange remain underexplored; furthermore, most studies relied on qualitative approaches, highlighting a need for more diverse methodologies and broader theoretical integration. Originality/value While environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability have received substantial scholarly attention in tourism and hospitality research, the sociocultural component remains significantly underexplored. This study is among the first to systematically review how sociocultural sustainability has been addressed within the field, highlighting a critical gap in both theoretical and empirical development. By mapping the existing literature, this review not only underscores the marginalization of sociocultural issues in mainstream sustainability discourse but also provides a structured agenda to advance future research.