This study aims to determine the current state of the literature – and propose future research directions – on the topic of tourist experiences shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). A review of reviews dealing with the tourist experience is conducted, highlighting the growing use of AI (and its most advanced forms, captured under the umbrella term strong AI). A bibliometric analysis of tourist experiences powered by strong AI is conducted on this review.
This study implements a mixed methodology that combines a review of reviews with bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on strong AI-enhanced tourist experiences.
The analysis provides insights into the evolution of the tourist experience based on the “experience economy” theory through a performance-based analysis and scientific mapping of studies dealing with strong AI-enhanced tourist experiences. Relevant future lines of research are proposed that explore new conceptual frameworks and their evolution toward considering more varied AI-based tools, services and environments, and tourism “agents,” and contribute to the scholarship on sustainability, authenticity and possible detrimental effects of AI.
This study theoretically connects the “experience economy” model with tourism and strong AI. Lines of research are proposed to expand theoretical boundaries toward a more comprehensive understanding of tourist experiences mediated by strong AI and their contribution to well-being, authenticity and sustainability.
This highly original work addresses the current lack of studies that adopt a combined perspective – blending a review of reviews and bibliometric analysis – to examine the evolution of the tourist experience and, particularly, how AI is influencing that experience.
