Reshaping smart tourism through artificial intelligence: insights from a systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Purpose This study aims to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent technologies are reshaping the landscape of smart tourism. It seeks to identify the thematic evolution, key contributors, and structural dynamics of the field, offering a conceptual framework to guide future research and policy development. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review and bibliometric analysis were conducted using publications from 2010 to 2025 retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed to analyze co-citation networks, keyword co-occurrence patterns, and author and institutional collaborations, thereby identifying the core themes and emerging research clusters in AI-driven smart tourism. Findings AI has evolved from a technological enabler to a structural reshaping mechanism that transforms the operational logic and theoretical foundation of smart tourism. Its influence unfolds through three interrelated pathways: a technological pathway that reconstructs governance systems through algorithmic optimization and intelligent decision-making; an experiential pathway that fosters personalization and emotional co-creation through interactive and immersive technologies; and a sustainability pathway that integrates resource optimization and responsible innovation into destination management. Research limitations/implications This review is limited by database scope and keyword selection, which may exclude emerging studies. Future research should expand data sources and examine AI's long-term impacts on smart tourism development. Originality/value This study deepens understanding of how AI reshapes smart tourism by integrating bibliometric mapping with systematic synthesis, highlighting the convergence of technological innovation, experiential transformation, and sustainable development.