Application of geographic information system in ecotourism: a global bibliometric analysis

The application of geographic information system (GIS) has significantly increased in ecotourism across diverse contexts. For example, GIS application is increasingly important in tourism through novel technologies like machine learning and remote sensing. Such applications can enhance sustainable t...

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Main Authors: Amadua, Festus O., Nhamob, Luxon, Benzougagh, Brahim, Turyasingura, Benson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025
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Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2892
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author Amadua, Festus O.
Nhamob, Luxon
Benzougagh, Brahim
Turyasingura, Benson
author_facet Amadua, Festus O.
Nhamob, Luxon
Benzougagh, Brahim
Turyasingura, Benson
author_sort Amadua, Festus O.
collection KAB-DR
description The application of geographic information system (GIS) has significantly increased in ecotourism across diverse contexts. For example, GIS application is increasingly important in tourism through novel technologies like machine learning and remote sensing. Such applications can enhance sustainable tourism. However, analyses of the scope of GIS application in the overall ecotourism sector remain limited. Therefore, the objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of global research trends in GIS application to ecotourism through a bibliometric review of the literature. This study asks: to what extent is the application of GIS in ecotourism? An answer to this question can help researchers and policymakers to develop appropriate GIS programs and policies that can enhance sustainable ecotourism across context. To answer this question, we used VOSviewer to undertake a bibliometric literature review across scientific databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. We analyzed 789 publications from 1960 to 2022. Our search topics included authorship, co-authorship, countries, institutions & organizations. Results show an increased trend in global GIS applications in ecotourism, with useful implications for sustainability. It contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in terms of Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on land (SDG 15).
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spelling oai:idr.kab.ac.ug:20.500.12493-28922025-03-05T00:00:39Z Application of geographic information system in ecotourism: a global bibliometric analysis Amadua, Festus O. Nhamob, Luxon Benzougagh, Brahim Turyasingura, Benson Bibliometric analysis ecotourism geographic information System (GIS) geovisualization spatial analysis nature-based tourism The application of geographic information system (GIS) has significantly increased in ecotourism across diverse contexts. For example, GIS application is increasingly important in tourism through novel technologies like machine learning and remote sensing. Such applications can enhance sustainable tourism. However, analyses of the scope of GIS application in the overall ecotourism sector remain limited. Therefore, the objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of global research trends in GIS application to ecotourism through a bibliometric review of the literature. This study asks: to what extent is the application of GIS in ecotourism? An answer to this question can help researchers and policymakers to develop appropriate GIS programs and policies that can enhance sustainable ecotourism across context. To answer this question, we used VOSviewer to undertake a bibliometric literature review across scientific databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. We analyzed 789 publications from 1960 to 2022. Our search topics included authorship, co-authorship, countries, institutions & organizations. Results show an increased trend in global GIS applications in ecotourism, with useful implications for sustainability. It contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in terms of Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on land (SDG 15). This research was funded by The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida USA, through Start-up Funds for Festus Amadu, Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies, with grant/account number: AC0597. 2025-03-04T13:34:48Z 2025-03-04T13:34:48Z 2025 Article Amadu, F. O., Nhamo, L., Benzougagh, B., & Turyasingura, B. (2025). Application of geographic information system in ecotourism: a global bibliometric analysis. Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1), 2460711. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2025.2460711 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2892 en 11; 1 Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ application/pdf Taylor & Francis Group
spellingShingle Bibliometric analysis
ecotourism
geographic information System (GIS)
geovisualization
spatial analysis
nature-based tourism
Amadua, Festus O.
Nhamob, Luxon
Benzougagh, Brahim
Turyasingura, Benson
Application of geographic information system in ecotourism: a global bibliometric analysis
title Application of geographic information system in ecotourism: a global bibliometric analysis
title_full Application of geographic information system in ecotourism: a global bibliometric analysis
title_fullStr Application of geographic information system in ecotourism: a global bibliometric analysis
title_full_unstemmed Application of geographic information system in ecotourism: a global bibliometric analysis
title_short Application of geographic information system in ecotourism: a global bibliometric analysis
title_sort application of geographic information system in ecotourism a global bibliometric analysis
topic Bibliometric analysis
ecotourism
geographic information System (GIS)
geovisualization
spatial analysis
nature-based tourism
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2892
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