The friend-foe paradox of ChatGPT in hospitality and tourism education: a systematic literature review and future research directions

The current study explores the impact of ChatGPT on students’ academic performance, ethical considerations, and strategies for balancing innovation with pedagogical integrity in hospitality and tourism education. Thirty-eight scholarly articles published between 2023 and 2025 were systematically reviewed using the PRISMA guidelines, identified from the Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases. Findings reveal that ChatGPT enhances students’ academic productivity, personalized learning, and technological literacy, supporting assessments and skill development. However, several ethical concerns arise, which include academic dishonesty, misinformation, bias, and privacy risks. Furthermore, the study identifies key challenges, including overreliance on AI, varying digital proficiencies, and limited institutional guidance. It emphasizes the educator’s role in integrating AI responsibly, ensuring critical thinking is preserved, and fostering equitable access and engagement. This study provides a comprehensive foundation for guiding ethical, practical, and context-sensitive integration of ChatGPT in hospitality and tourism education.