Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainable Practices in Hotels and Homestays: Trends, Themes, and Future Research Directions

<ns5:p>Background Sustainability has emerged as a critical concern in the hospitality sector, however there is a lack of a systematic review of the academic literature on sustainability in hotels and homestays. The rise of environmental concerns, responsible tourist practices, and the growing importance of sustainable hospitality have significantly expanded the academic interest in this area of study. This study provides a bibliometric review of the literature on sustainability in hotels and homestays to identify patterns of growth, dominant themes, and research gaps to guide future research and policy. Methods We retrieved 1,932 articles published between 1998 and 2025 from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analyses were conducted using Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to examine yearly publication trends, prolific journals and authors, collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic evolution through strategic thematic mapping. Results Publication volume rose markedly after 2016, reflecting the fast growth of academic attention. Core topics clustered around impact, satisfaction, tourism, management, and performance. Thematic mapping classified clusters as Basic Themes (impact–satisfaction–management), Motor Themes (attitudes–knowledge), Niche Themes (business models–consumer acceptance), and Emerging/Declining Themes (energy consumption). Analysis also revealed growing emphasis on heritage, innovation, and technology-enabled sustainability. Notable gaps persist i.e. rural homestays remain underexplored, corporate social responsibility (CSR) integration is limited, and stakeholder collaboration is insufficiently addressed. While collaboration networks reveal clusters of authors, there is scope for greater interdisciplinarity and cross-regional relationships. Conclusion This bibliometric review synthesises the intellectual structure of sustainability research in hotels and homestays, highlighting established and emergent topics while pinpointing substantive knowledge gaps. The findings offer a roadmap for researchers to diversify contexts (especially rural homestays), integrate CSR and stakeholder perspectives, and pursue interdisciplinary methods. For policymakers and practitioners, the study recommends developing inclusive, technology-enabled sustainability frameworks that better connect heritage conservation, innovation, and community engagement.</ns5:p>