Towards a Sustainable Halal Tourism Model: A Systematic Review of the Integration of Islamic Principles with Global Sustainability Goals

Samrena Jabeen, Nohman Khan, Sabeen Hussain Bhatti (), Mohammad Falahat and Muhammad Imran Qureshi
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Samrena Jabeen: Faculty of Business Studies, Arab Open University, A’ali 18211, Bahrain
Nohman Khan: Strategic Research Institute (SRI), Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Sabeen Hussain Bhatti: International Business School, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
Mohammad Falahat: Strategic Research Institute (SRI), Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Muhammad Imran Qureshi: International Business School, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK

Administrative Sciences, 2025, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-26

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: halal tourism; sustainable development goals (SDGs); Islamic principles; digital transformation; halal entrepreneurship; tourism certification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L M M0 M1 M10 M11 M12 M14 M15 M16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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