Last chance tourism: A systematic literature review and future research directions

Abstract

As last-chance tourism (LCT) gains prominence as a significant research domain, inherent challenges include limited destination lifespans and unsustainable visitor surges. The increasing tourism demand at LCT sites often exceeds carrying capacity, accelerating environmental and cultural degradation, which necessitates a stronger theoretical foundation for researchers and managers. Despite the growing body of research, fragmentation persists, highlighting the need for a systematic synthesis to consolidate knowledge and guide future research in the LCT domain. This study conducts the first systematic review of the LCT literature, synthesizing 25 articles from 13 reputed tourism and hospitality journals. Using a two-step thematic analysis with Excel and NVivo, this review mitigates method bias and enhances objectivity. The findings reveal four key thematic areas: 1) LCT definitions; 2) Theoretical frameworks and research methods employed; 3) Locations and contexts studied; and 4) Motivations for LCT research. To strengthen methodological rigour, this review integrates Covidence software, enhancing screening reliability with an interrater agreement (Cohen's Kappa 0.535). This systematic review paper identifies gaps in LCT conceptualisation, visitor behaviour theories, and sustainability models, proposing new directions for research development. It also provides practical implications and opportunities for destination managers, highlighting strategies to balance visitor demand and conservation efforts. Ultimately, this review advances LCT scholarship by offering a structured research agenda, encouraging interdisciplinary engagement, and broadening theoretical perspectives on sustainable tourism.