Mapping Competitiveness in SMEs in Hospitality and Tourism: A Systematic Literature Review

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This chapter provides an overview of the available literature concerning the competitive advantages of tourism, leisure, and hospitality from the viewpoint of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The methodology used is an extensive literature review that assesses the available literature within the selected area of interest to capture trends, drivers, and gaps. This chapter considers recent articles published in peer-reviewed journals to expand primary sources. The findings indicate that, although various aspects of tourism competitiveness have been explored, the studied impact on SMEs, the backbone of the industry, calls for further work. SMEs exhibit great potential for achieving competitive advantage in a globalized environment. In the context of present-day knowledge about the competitiveness and management of SMEs in tourism and hospitality, the literature review synthesizes previous works and identifies gaps in the understanding of competitiveness. This study is the first comprehensive critique of the competitiveness of SMEs in these sectors, providing insights into key factors, trends, and theoretical implications. The systematic review maps the limits of what is known and reveals areas requiring further research. A structured review procedure based on study objectives directed the literature search, including databases, keywords, and screening criteria. The findings summarize the contexts in which research on the competitiveness of SMEs in tourism, leisure, and hospitality has been conducted. This pioneering study synthesizes indexed and peer-reviewed journal publications, offering original insights and highlighting areas for future exploration.</jats:p>