Unveiling sustainable tourism themes with machine learning based topic modeling

Abstract This study explores the intersection of sustainable and green tourism with 17 United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), identifying key themes and emerging interdisciplinary configurations. Using the PRISMA framework, we analyzed publications covering the years 2015–2023. A machine learning-based BERTopic model was employed to extract meaningful topics and map publications to the relevant SDGs. This study reveals a strong link between sustainable tourism and multiple SDGs. Seven key themes illustrate the role of sustainable tourism in fostering economic growth, environmental conservation, and community resilience. Geotourism and geoheritage development contribute to quality education (SDG 4) by promoting geological knowledge and conservation while generating local economic opportunities. The tourism-energy-economy nexus highlights the need for clean energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13) to mitigate emissions linked to tourism-driven economic expansion. Mangrove ecosystem ecotourism management safeguards biodiversity and strengthens life below water (SDG 14) and life on land (SDG 15) while supporting sustainable livelihoods. Rural and smart data-driven tourism enhance decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) by integrating technology and local resources into sustainable development strategies. Ecotourism and community engagement empower local populations, fostering sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17) through collaborative conservation efforts. Finally, eco-destinations and tourist engagement emphasize responsible consumption and cultural heritage preservation, reinforcing responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). Together, these themes underscore tourism’s broader role in achieving the SDGs by balancing economic benefits with environmental and social sustainability. Our findings add to policy-making and strategic planning, emphasizing the need for a more subtle approach to sustainable tourism, considering diverse regional contexts. Future research should focus on applying technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and big data, conducting in-depth case studies, examining socioeconomic impacts on local communities, and evaluating policy effectiveness to increase its contribution to achieving the SDGs. Clinical trial registration: Not applicable.