Reconceptualizing nostalgia-driven tourist experiences: A systematic review and future research

This systematic review synthesizes two decades of nostalgia research in tourism and hospitality, analyzing 89 peer-reviewed articles through the Theory-Context-Characteristics-Method (TCCM) framework. The research reveals nostalgia's evolution from a psychological phenomenon to a strategic driver of consumer behavior, identifying four major research themes: nostalgia-driven consumer behavior, cultural heritage and authenticity, digital tourism innovation, and sports/entertainment-based experiences. Findings demonstrate that nostalgia significantly enhances customer satisfaction, loyalty, and behavioral intentions across diverse contexts, with the Stimulus-Organism-Response framework emerging as the dominant theoretical lens. The research exposes critical gaps including geographical concentration in Asian contexts, methodological overreliance on cross-sectional surveys, and limited exploration of nostalgia's negative dimensions. Future research directions emphasize developing dual-process theories, investigating vicarious nostalgia, employing longitudinal designs, and examining cross-cultural variations. This comprehensive analysis provides both theoretical advancement and practical guidance for leveraging nostalgia in sustainable tourism development.