In an era of Tourism 4.0, where destinations extend into virtual and synthetic realms, how can tourism be reimagined through vulnerability-friendly principles to foster inclusive, accessible, and resilient futures? The conceptual framework of vulnerability-friendly tourism destinations (VFTDs) offers a compelling, multidisciplinary vision, blending accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability into a unified approach. Vulnerability, understood as a dynamic susceptibility to harm, spans intrinsic challenges like disabilities or business weaknesses and extrinsic threats like climate change or social exclusion. This framework reframes tourism across physical, virtual, and hybrid destinations through a clear, three-pillar model: people-animal-friendly, business-friendly, and destination-friendly. This paper critically reviews recent research, exposing the limits of narrow, fragmented approaches like accessible or sustainable tourism, which often fail to address intersecting vulnerabilities or emerging contexts like metaverse tourism. By integrating stakeholder-driven solutions, VFTDs align with global sustainability and equity goals. Future research will prioritize empirical testing, interdisciplinary collaboration, and smart technology to bring VFTDs to life, charting a path toward a more inclusive and resilient tourism future.