A Bibliometric Analysis of Scopus Literature (1987–2024) On Smart Technologies in Hospitality: From Artificial Intelligence to Augmented Reality.

This study aims to explore the research landscape involving smart technologies in the hospitality and hotel industry employing a bibliometric analysis of publications from 1987 to 2024. In the paper, the researchers aim to focus on technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and robotics, identification of the key trends, most productive authors and journals, as well as the emerging themes, while highlighting research gaps for future exploration.
This study employed bibliometric analysis, collecting data from 1987 to 2024 from the Scopus database. This study analyzes publication types, collaborative patterns, subject areas, citation impacts, leading authors, affiliations, countries, and publication sources. It examines research trends and keyword co-occurrences and creates a thematic map to visualize key themes in the field.
This bibliometric analysis of 176 publications (1988–2024) reveals a surge post-2018, peaking at 70 papers in 2024 with 3,218 citations (average 18.3 per paper). Authorship is collaborative (3.3 authors/paper; 582 authors). Top authors include Bowen, Morosan, and Yu. Leading institutions are Amity University and the University of South Florida. Countries: India leads in output, while the USA leads in impact. Major journals are IJHM and Electronic Markets.
The study was confined to articles in the English language, primarily published in chosen subject areas and Scopus-indexed journals, potentially excluding relevant non-English or non-indexed research. The study captures quantitative patterns and may overlook the depth of qualitative insights and their related real-world applications. The study has been conducted on articles published between 1987 and 2024
This study presents a unique bibliometric analysis, shedding light on key research trends in various innovative technologies within the hospitality industry. It offers insightful perspectives on collaborative research patterns, institutional contributions, and the growth and evolution of innovative technology-related themes in hospitality research.

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Robotics, Humanoids, hospitality, bibliometric analysis

1. Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & The PRISMA Group. (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84(2), 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Zakaria, R., Ahmi, A., Ahmad, A. H., Othman, Z., Azman, K. F., Ab Aziz, C. B., Ismail, C. A. N., & Shafin, N. (2021). Visualising and mapping a decade of literature on honey research: A bibliometric analysis from 2011 to 2020. Journal of Apicultural Research, 60(3), 359–368. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2021.1898789 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Bowen, J., & Morosan, C. (2018). Beware hospitality industry: The robots are coming. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 10(6), 726–733. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-07-2018-0045 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Buhalis, D., Harwood, T., Bogicevic, V., Viglia, G., Beldona, S., & Hofacker, C. (2019). Technological disruptions in services: Lessons from tourism and hospitality. Journal of Service Management, 30(4), 484–506. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-12-2018-0398 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Buhalis, D., & Moldavska, I. (2022). Voice assistants in hospitality: Using artificial intelligence for customer service. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 13(3), 386–403. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-03-2021-0104 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Car, T., Pilepić Stifanich, L., & Šimunić, M. (2019). INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES. 163–173. https://doi.org/10.20867/tosee.05.42 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Chi, O. H., Denton, G., & Gursoy, D. (2020). Artificially intelligent device use in service delivery: A systematic review, synthesis, and research agenda. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 29(7), 757–786. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2020.1721394 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Gaur, L., Afaq, A., Singh, G., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2021). Role of artificial intelligence and robotics to foster the touchless travel during a pandemic: A review and research agenda. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 33(11), 4079–4098. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-11-2020-1246 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Goel, P., Kaushik, N., Sivathanu, B., Pillai, R., & Vikas, J. (2022). Consumers’ adoption of artificial intelligence and robotics in hospitality and tourism sector: Literature review and future research agenda. Tourism Review, 77(4), 1081–1096. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-03-2021-0138 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Ivanov, S., Gretzel, U., Berezina, K., Sigala, M., & Webster, C. (2019). Progress on robotics in hospitality and tourism: A review of the literature. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, JHTT-08-2018-0087. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-08-2018-0087 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Kabadayi, S., Ali, F., Choi, H., Joosten, H., & Lu, C. (2019). Smart service experience in hospitality and tourism services: A conceptualization and future research agenda. Journal of Service Management, 30(3), 326–348. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-11-2018-0377 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Kaur, A., Goyal, S., & Batra, N. (2024). Smart Hospitality Review: Using IoT and Machine Learning to Its Most Value in the Hotel Industry. 2024 International Conference on Automation and Computation (AUTOCOM), 320–324. https://doi.org/10.1109/AUTOCOM60220.2024.10486158 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Kumar, S., Kumar, V., & Attri, K. (2021). IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SERVICE ROBOTS IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR: CURRENT USE & FUTURE TRENDS. Administrative Development “A Journal of HIPA, Shimla,” 8(SI-1), 59–83. https://doi.org/10.53338/ADHIPA2021.V08.Si01.04 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Liu, C., & Hung, K. (2020). A comparative study of self-service technology with service employees: A qualitative analysis of hotels in China. Information Technology & Tourism, 22(1), 33–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-020-00167-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. McCartney, G., & McCartney, A. (2020). Rise of the machines: Towards a conceptual service-robot research framework for the hospitality and tourism industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 32(12), 3835–3851. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-05-2020-0450 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Mercan, S., Cain, L., Akkaya, K., Cebe, M., Uluagac, S., Alonso, M., & Cobanoglu, C. (2021). Improving the service industry with hyper-connectivity: IoT in hospitality. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 33(1), 243–262. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-06-2020-0621 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & The PRISMA Group. (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Nayyar, A., Mahapatra, B., Nhuong Le, D., & Suseendran, G. (2018). Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR) technologies for tourism and hospitality industry. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(2.21), 156. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i2.21.11858 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Osadare, O. O., Akande, O. N., Soladoye, A. A., & Sobowale, P. O. (2024). Smart Hospitality: Leveraging Technological Advances to enhance Customer Satisfaction. FUOYE Journal of Engineering and Technology, 9(3), 553–557. https://doi.org/10.4314/fuoyejet.v9i3.28 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Singh, A. K., Tyagi, P. K., Singh, A. K., Tyagi, P., Kapure, S., & Singh, E. R. (2022). Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in the Hotel Industry: A Systematic Literature Review. 2022 8th International Conference on Advanced Computing and Communication Systems (ICACCS), 1788–1792. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICACCS54159.2022.9785257 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84(2), 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Yang, H., Song, H., Cheung, C., & Guan, J. (2021). How to enhance hotel guests’ acceptance and experience of smart hotel technology: An examination of visiting intentions. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 97, 103000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2021.103000 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Zakaria, R., Ahmi, A., Ahmad, A. H., Othman, Z., Azman, K. F., Ab Aziz, C. B., Ismail, C. A. N., & Shafin, N. (2021). Visualising and mapping a decade of literature on honey research: A bibliometric analysis from 2011 to 2020. Journal of Apicultural Research, 60(3), 359–368. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2021.1898789 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Zhu, J. J., Liu, Z., Huang, T., & Guo, X. S. (2023). Roboethics of tourism and hospitality industry: A systematic review. PLOS ONE, 18(6), e0287439. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287439 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Gendered Food Environments: Differences in Food Availability and Perceptions Among Malaysian University Students