Abstract

Global challenges such as climate change and social inequality have heightened the emphasis on sustainability across various sectors, with higher education institutions (HEIs) playing a pivotal role in fostering sustainable practices. This systematic literature review assesses the evolution of sustainable hospitality education (SHE) research over the past two decades, highlighting trends and identifying gaps to synthesize the current scholarly discourse. Using a comprehensive search strategy across multiple databases, we identified 39 key articles through a structured screening process. Our findings reveal that SHE is a dynamic and inclusive field, characterized by a diverse array of research methods, educational levels, and sample sizes. The analysis of delivery modes and subject domains underscores the importance of cross-domain issues in SHE research. The review concludes by proposing future directions for SHE, including the development of localized curricula, faculty development programs, and interdisciplinary research initiatives. It also emphasizes the need for longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impact of educational strategies on students' sustainability knowledge and practices. Implementing these recommendations will enable SHE to contribute significantly to the sustainable transformation of the hospitality industry and inspire educational innovation, advancing a greener and more equitable future.

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