A study published in the current Journal of Sustainable Tourism examines how ethnicity and racial inequalities are addressed in tourism research. The authors reviewed 287 academic articles spanning five decades and placed their findings within the broader debate on equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB).
The analysis shows that tourism can reproduce social inequalities through discrimination, stereotypical representations, unequal access to mobility and leisure, as well as unequal participation in decision-making processes. As existing research is strongly shaped by North American and other Global North perspectives, the authors call for more context-sensitive research and the co-production of knowledge with marginalised groups. For tourism practice, they conclude that inclusion must go beyond representation and extend to organisational structures, governance and opportunities for participation.