Publishing in tourism and hospitality journals: Is the past a prelude to the future?

•This paper analyses 40 years of articles published in specialist tourism, hospitality and events journals.•Doubling in the average number of authors; 2/3 of authors appearing once; 1% accounting for ¼ of all papers published.•The experiences noted in our journals are typical and reflect the maturation of fields of study.•Increased specialization, broadening of the journal base and risks of specialism fragmentation.

This study examines trends in publishing in tourism and hospitality journals over the past 40 years. It places the findings within the context of experiences and inherent dynamism of other disciplines. Exponential growth has been observed in both the number of journals available and number of papers published per annum. The single authored paper is an endangered species and has recently been replaced with the three or more authored paper as the norm. What has been observed in tourism is not unique. Instead, similar patterns have been noted in other disciplines and fields of study as they mature. These findings also offer insights into future direction and research needs at both a field and individual academic level.