Inclusion in Smart Tourism Management: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda

The rapid digital transformation of the tourism sector has intensified interest in smart tourism management and underscored the growing importance of inclusion as a strategic dimension of tourism development. Although scholarly attention to this topic is increasing, the literature remains fragmented, with limited integrative understanding of how inclusion interacts with consumer experience, digital engagement, and innovation within smart tourism ecosystems. This study addresses this gap by synthesizing existing research and outlining future research directions. Employing a semi-systematic literature review combined with qualitative meta-synthesis, the study interprets and integrates diverse research streams. This methodology facilitates the identification of recurring themes, conceptual relationships, and theoretical gaps by advancing beyond descriptive analysis toward interpretive synthesis. The findings reveal that inclusion is an underdeveloped yet essential dimension of smart tourism, frequently regarded as complementary rather than central to technological development. Consumer experience is identified as a key mechanism linking inclusive practices to tourism outcomes, while digital engagement supports co-creation and participation. Innovation enhances adaptability but requires strategic alignment to foster inclusive outcomes. The study contributes an integrated conceptual perspective of inclusive smart tourism and demonstrates the value of meta-synthesis in advancing theory. A future research agenda is proposed to guide empirical investigation in this emerging field.