Unveiling the Growth Trajectory: A Bibliometric Analysis of Volunteer Tourism Research from 2000 to 2023

Abstract

Volunteer tourism has emerged as a dynamic area of research within the context of evolving social dynamics. Tourists engaging in volunteer activities are increasingly recognized as agents contributing to societal improvement. This thematic field has garnered significant scholarly attention, particularly in esteemed databases such as Scopus. Through a meticulous examination involving systematic review and bibliometric analysis of 607 documents, this study provides comprehensive insights into prevalent themes and discussions surrounding volunteer tourism. The findings highlight a clear upward trend in volunteer tourism research, as evidenced by increasing publication volumes, appearances in journals, citations, and co-citations. Noteworthy research themes include socio-economic dimensions, global issues, psychological and behavioral aspects of volunteers, sustainable development, and global citizenship. Building upon these findings, the study outlines potential research directions in the realm of volunteer tourism.