AI-powered sustainable tourism: Aligning innovations with the sustainable development goals

This study investigates the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to foster sustainable tourism practices that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It employs the SPAR-4-SLR protocol to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) of 76 Q1 peer-reviewed articles identified in Web of Science and Scopus to determine the contribution of AI to environmental, social and economic sustainability. Four thematic areas emerged: (1) co-creation of value and sustainability in supply chains; (2) AI, service innovation and sustainable transitions; (3) AI, experience and governance in sustainable tourism; and (4) technology, nature and emerging frontiers. Results indicate that AI improves the sustainability process by making operations more efficient and sustainable and promotes ethical governance, inclusivity and innovation. A framework presents the interaction of AI-driven transformation, governance and ethical practices to foster a sustainable environment, contribute to SDGs 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13, and help improve SDGs 5, 7, 10, 14, 15 and 17. The study’s research agenda includes evaluating the long-term purposes of AI adoption, adoption barriers, implementation in less developed destinations and the enhancement of AI-oriented forecasting models. It provides original insights into the intersection of AI and sustainable development within tourism, providing actionable knowledge for academics, policymakers and practitioners seeking to harness AI for advancing sustainable tourism.