Emotional solidarity theory in tourism: the systematic literature review

The relationship between residents and tourists is frequently viewed as superficial, with their interactions deemed transactional; nonetheless, for a tourism destination to have a competitive advantage and appeal to tourists, the synergy between the two stakeholders must be friendly and relevant. Emotional solidarity theory explores the emotional connections and bonds that residents and tourists form with one another and the destination. Since its introduction in tourism literature over 15 years ago, it has garnered significant academic attention. This study utilised a systematic quantitative literature review (SQLR) to identify, synthesise, and examine previous studies. A total of 106 papers from 36 journals were looked at, revealing new and less-studied areas in the travel and tourism fields that could still help explain how and why people feel emotionally connected to different groups in tourist destinations. Although limited by the methodological scope, the study offers a valuable foundation for scholars by identifying the conceptual development of emotional solidarity and research gaps, as well as the need for a more mixed-methods approach. Additionally, unexplored themes, such as the role of digital interactions and cross-cultural dynamics, become evident and can be addressed in future research.