Towards a sustainable Halal tourism model : a systematic review of the integration of Islamic principles with global sustainability goals

This systematic literature review examines the scholarly discourse and research trends on the integration of Islamic principles with global sustainability goals in halal tourism, addressing research gaps in understanding how this growing market sector contributes to sustainable development. The study analyzes halal certification frameworks, evaluates government support mechanisms, and assesses the role of digital technologies in enhancing halal tourism operations and sustainability. Following the PRISMA methodology, we conducted a comprehensive search of the Scopus database using a structured three-component Boolean strategy that yielded 78 documents. After applying inclusion criteria (peer-reviewed publications from 2015 to 2025 addressing halal tourism and sustainability) and exclusion criteria (studies examining concepts in isolation or lacking theoretical contributions), 62 publications were systematically analyzed using bibliometric analysis and Structural Topic Modeling. The analysis identified three distinct research clusters: Sustainable Tourism and Development (51.72%), Halal Tourism and Entrepreneurship (37.93%), and Technology and Digitalization (17.24%). A significant temporal shift in research priorities was observed, with entrepreneurship studies declining while sustainability integration and technological applications gained momentum, particularly post-pandemic. This review develops an integrated conceptual framework connecting religious principles, sustainability imperatives, and technological innovation-three domains previously examined in isolation-through nine interrelated variables across three theoretical pillars: Halal Principles Integration, Sustainability Implementation, and Digital Transformation. The framework provides destination managers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs with a foundation for developing strategies that simultaneously satisfy religious requirements, achieve sustainability outcomes, and leverage digital innovations, advancing a more inclusive understanding of tourism that respects diverse cultural values while addressing global sustainability challenges.