Rural tourism as a driver of sustainable development: a systematic review and future research agenda

Purpose This study investigates the intersection of rural tourism and sustainable development through a comprehensive literature review. Using keywords co-occurrence and thematic co-citations analysis, this study aims to identify prevailing research themes and theoretical perspectives that shape the understanding of rural tourism’s role in promoting sustainability. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the Scopus database to analyze 277 publications spanning from 1990 to December 2023. The VOSviewer tool facilitates keyword and co-citation analysis, enabling the identification of thematic clusters and trends within the field. This methodology supports the tracking of evolving research trajectories and the delineation of key themes and theoretical frameworks. Findings The analysis reveals five primary thematic clusters: Integrated Approach to Rural Tourism, Institutionalizing Rural Tourism Development, Evolving Rural Tourism Sustainability, Rural Tourism: Prospects and Challenges and Rural Tourism Leadership and Impacts. This study applies various theoretical lenses, including Stakeholder Theory, Bounded Rationality, Theory of Planned Behavior and Social-Ecological Theory. The findings of this study underscore the significance of stakeholder interests, community engagement, sustainable practices, effective leadership and comprehensive measurement frameworks in advancing rural tourism. Originality/value This review provides a critical assessment of the current research landscape, offering valuable insights for researchers, policymakers and practitioners. By identifying key themes and theoretical perspectives, this study contributes actionable knowledge to foster sustainable development within rural tourism. This study also highlights future research directions, addressing gaps and suggesting areas for further exploration.