Tourism Management Studies

The Tourism Value Chain: A Systematic Review of Research Using the Paradigm Funnel Approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Ali Delshad 1
Melika Sadeghizade 2
Fatemeh Shoelaei Majoumerd 3

1 Assistant Professor, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 BA Management/Faculty of Economics, Management and Accounting/Yazd University

3 Yazd University

https://doi.org/10.22054/tms.2025.85297.3059
Abstract
This study aims to systematically collect and evaluate prior research on the tourism value chain to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and suggest future research directions. Over a five-month period, more than 65 articles were retrieved from reputable international databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, selected based on thematic relevance, credibility, and publication date. Following a rigorous screening process, 51 English-language articles published between 2014 and 2024 were analyzed using a systematic review combined with a paradigm funnel approach. The findings reveal a lack of comprehensive comparative studies examining the value chain structure across diverse tourism destinations. Additionally, critical dimensions such as environmental sustainability and social equity, particularly under global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, have been largely overlooked. The insights gained can aid policymakers and stakeholders in enhancing sustainable development within the tourism industry.

Keywords

tourism value chain
paradigm funnel
tourism resilience
sustainable tourism
Subjects
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Tourism Management Studies
Volume 20, Issue 72
Autumn 2026
Pages 213-256

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