Transition from CSR to ESG in Tourism – A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The study examines whether the growing popularity of the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approach could result in the decline or disappearance of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) concept, which has encountered numerous challenges in practical implementation, and what the main sustainability issues are, helping to examine where the transition is, what elements already exist and where there are gaps. The question is analysed in the context of the tourism sector.
Methods: The empirical research methodology used is bibliometric analysis, which involves 924 studies using Publish or Perish (PoP) software and the PRISMA methodology.
Results: The analysis has explored the relationship between sustainability and tourism, as well as between tourism and ESG. The bibliometric maps reveal a strong relationship between CSR and ESG concepts in the study area.
Conclusion: The study highlights that ESG does not replace CSR but rather provides a measurement and framework for it to address its problems. In the tourism sector, the ESG field is dominated by the first ‘E’ pillar, meaning that sustainability is mainly focused on environmental and natural aspects, while social or even economic sustainability, and ethics are less prominent. The study provides suggestions for future research and useful information for policy makers, and tourism managers, organizations.

Keywords: Sustainable tourism, CSR; Corporate social responsibility, ESG, Sustainability transition, Bibliometric analysis