Mapping Community–Tourism Conflicts and Collaborative Governance in National Parks: A Bibliometric Analysis (2000–2025)

This study examines conflicts and collaborative practices between communities and tourism stakeholders in national parks using a bibliometric analysis of research published between 2000 and 2025. A dataset of 134 Scopus-indexed journal articles was analysed using VOSviewer and RStudio to identify thematic patterns, influential authors, dominant theoretical contributions and emerging research shifts. Three core thematic clusters were identified: protected area tourism management, community participation and sustainability and conservation conflicts and development dynamics. Conflict theory and collaboration theory were found to guide much all the existing scholarship, shaping current understanding of how national parks negotiate tensions between conservation goals and local livelihoods. This review provides a comprehensive mapping of the field’s intellectual structure and highlights gaps for future study. The findings offer practical insights for scholars, policymakers and practitioners working to advance community- based tourism with reduced conflict and improved cooperation in national parks.