Paradigms and Practices of Circular Economy in Tourism (2010–2024): A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Literature Review

Abstract As a transformative approach to sustainable development, the circular economy (CE) has emerged as a dynamic and rapidly growing field. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review (SLR) to identify and map the existing knowledge, trends, and practices in the field of CE from 2010 to 2024. This study aims to explore the evolution of CE paradigms, highlight significant contributions, and uncover gaps in current practices and research by examining scholarly publications. This research will provide a comprehensive understanding of how CE concepts have been integrated across various industries. In accordance with the recommended reporting elements for meta-analysis (PRISMA) criteria, an SLR was carried out utilizing reputable databases. To find important topics, trends, and contributions in the field, VOSviewer software was used. The review highlighted key terms in scientific articles that were primarily focused on CE and discovered an expanding corpus of research on the subject. One hundred and ninety-seven articles in total, formatted for Lens, were included from the Lens.ORG, Emerald Insight, Taylor & Francis, and Google Scholar databases. Based on the analysis, the three main themes were identified: (1) integrated sustainable development, (2) interdisciplinary approaches to the CE, and (3) regenerative resource management. The results indicate that future research trends should concentrate on promoting CE, circular waste management, and sustainability as means of regenerative resource management methods. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a detailed mapping of the CE landscape and highlighting areas for further exploration.