Digital twins in tourism: a systematic literature review

TL;DR

This paper conducts a systematic literature review of digital twins (DTs) in tourism, analyzing 34 peer‑reviewed studies from three major databases to map the state of the art. Using a seven‑criterion taxonomy (tourism type, purpose, spatial scale, data sources, data linkage, visualization, and application) and bibliometric analysis, it finds an emergent field centered on cultural heritage digitization, site/local scales, 3D scanning and GIS data, and mostly unilateral data linkage with XR‑driven visualization. The review reveals a predominance of applied studies over theoretical work, a significant research gap in bilateral DTs and dynamic data use, and limited macro‑scale applications such as city‑ or region‑level planning. It highlights opportunities to expand DT research in tourism to diverse types, larger spatial scales, and data‑feedback mechanisms that can influence real‑world tourism management and policy.

Abstract

Purpose: This systematic literature review (SLR) characterizes the current state of the art on digital twinning (DT) technology in tourism-related applications. We aim to evaluate the types of DTs described in the literature, identifying their purposes, the areas of tourism where they have been proposed, their main components, and possible future directions based on current work. Design/methodology/approach: We conducted this SLR with bibliometric analysis based on an existing, validated methodology. Thirty-four peer-reviewed studies from three major scientific databases were selected for review. They were categorized using a taxonomy that included tourism type, purpose, spatial scale, data sources, data linkage, visualization, and application. Findings: The topic is at an early, evolving stage, as the oldest study found dates back to 2021. Most reviewed studies deal with cultural tourism, focusing on digitising cultural heritage. Destination management is the primary purpose of these DTs, with mainly site-level spatial scales. In many studies, the physical-digital data linkage is unilateral, lacking twin synchronization. In most DTs considered bilateral, the linkage is indirect. There are more applied than theoretical studies, suggesting progress in applying DTs in the field. Finally, there is an extensive research gap regarding DT technology in tourism, which is worth filling. Originality/Value: This paper presents a novel SLR with a bibliometric analysis of DTs' applied and theoretical application in tourism. Each reviewed publication is assessed and characterized, identifying the current state of the topic, possible research gaps, and future directions.

Figures (12)

• Figure 1: Worldwide interest over time on digital twins from 2016 through May 2024 (Source: Google Trends)
• Figure 2: PRISMA Flow Diagram of the study selection process (Source: Authors own work)
• Figure 3: Number of publications by year, subdivided by venue (Source: Authors own work)
• Figure 4: Continent distribution histogram (Source: Authors own work)
• Figure 5: Country frequency (Source: Authors own work)