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Journals / Turizm Akademik Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 13 Sayı: 1

Migrant Labor In The Tourism And Hospitality Sector: A Systematic Literature Review and Thematic Synthesis

Turizm ve Konaklama Sektöründe Göçmen Emeği: Sistematik Bir Literatür Derleme ve Tematik Sentez

Revşan Aslan Yanalak(MARDİN ARTUKLU ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-5190-792X
Kadir Çakar(MARDİN ARTUKLU ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-9114-0476
Pages
211–225
Publication Date
2026-06-09
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Future research may examine longitudinal and intervention designs, broaden mixed-methods use, enhance transparency in measurement/model reporting, and improve the representation of understudied regions.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to investigate literature on migrant labor in the tourism and hospitality sector through a Scopus-based systematic review and thematic synthesis.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Following PRISMA, 810 articles were analysed which revealed bibliometric descriptions with a semi-automated thematic synthesis and indicated a marked post-2016 acceleration in publications, a concentration of output within Anglophone research systems, and the dominance of Social Sciences in the subject-area classification.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Future research may examine longitudinal and intervention designs, broaden mixed-methods use, enhance transparency in measurement/model reporting, and improve the representation of understudied regions.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2016 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Göçmen Emeği · Turizm · Sistematik İnceleme

Abstract

This study aims to investigate literature on migrant labor in the tourism and hospitality sector through a Scopus-based systematic review and thematic synthesis. Following PRISMA, 810 articles were analysed which revealed bibliometric descriptions with a semi-automated thematic synthesis and indicated a marked post-2016 acceleration in publications, a concentration of output within Anglophone research systems, and the dominance of Social Sciences in the subject-area classification. The methodological profile was characterized by the prevalence of qualitative approaches, limited use of mixed methods and advanced modeling, and frequent omission of research-design statements in abstracts. The thematic map finalized six axes (migration regimes/border practices; labour markets/employment; sectoral context/destination; mobility/diaspora/identity; integration; intersectionality/gender) and showed most debates were layered upon the sector/destination context. The review consolidated dispersed sub-literatures within a transparent framework and integrated bibliometric and thematic evidence into a single reporting scaffold. Future research may examine longitudinal and intervention designs, broaden mixed-methods use, enhance transparency in measurement/model reporting, and improve the representation of understudied regions.

Özet

The aim of this study is to investigate the literature on migrant labour in the tourism and hospitality sector through a Scopus-based systematic review and thematic synthesis. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses, 810 articles were analysed, which revealed bibliometric descriptions with a thematic synthesis that indicate a marked post-2016 acceleration in publications, a concentration of output within Anglophone research systems, and the dominance of Social Sciences in the subjectarea classification. The methodological profile is characterized by the prevalence of qualitative approaches, the limited use of mixed methods and advanced modelling, and the frequent omission of research-design statements in abstracts. The thematic map confirmed six themes (migration regimes/border practices; labour markets/employment; sectoral context/destination; mobility/ diaspora/identity; integration; intersectionality/gender) revealing that most debates are layered on the sector/destination context. The review consolidated dispersed sub-literatures within a transparent framework and integrated bibliometric and thematic evidence into a single reporting scaffold. Further recommendations for future research are presented.

🔖

Cite This Article

Yanalak, R. A., Çakar, K. (2026). Migrant Labor In The Tourism And Hospitality Sector: A Systematic Literature Review and Thematic Synthesis. Turizm Akademik Dergisi, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 1, 211–225. https://doi.org/10.65981/touraj.1826922

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