A Bibliometric Expedition through Augmented Reality and Web3's Impact on Ecotourism Destinations

Abstract

This paper explores the matchmaking between augmented reality (AR) and Web3 technologies within the context of ecotourism, providing a bibliometric analysis of the research landscape to understand how these digital innovations are empowering sustainable tourism practices.Using data from the Web of Science Core Collection, we conducted a targeted search that provided the key themes and clusters for the research.The findings reveal four primary clusters: AR and Metaverse in immersive tourism experiences, decentralization and security in community-driven tourism management, AI-enhanced AR for ecotourists' engagement, and blockchain outcomes for ecotourism initiatives.This study contributes to the literature by clarifying the roles of AR and Web3 in promoting responsible tourism, fostering trust, and empowering local communities through decentralized models.