Culture and tourism are crucial for economic growth and sustainable development, working together symbiotically. Culture boosts tourism by supporting heritage, production, and creativity, while cultural heritage, reflecting national identity and traditions, strengthens local economies. This study uses a panel data analysis to examine the impact of cultural factors on international tourist arrivals in 27 EU nations. The Driscoll–Kraay method reveals that UNESCO World Heritage Sites, government cultural expenditures, household recreation and cultural expenditures, real GDP per job, and bed capacity positively influence international tourist numbers. Regarding cultural factors, World Heritage Sites have the most significant influence, with each additional UNESCO site leading to a 0.22% rise in tourist numbers. The most crucial determinant of tourist arrivals is bed capacity, with a one percent increase leading to a 0.66% increase in tourist arrivals. Conversely, healthcare expenditures and political civil liberties have a negative impact on tourist arrivals. This study discusses managerial implications and offers recommendations for future research.

Historically, Rwanda is a rural country where agriculture is the main economic activity of the population. Gender inequality in the country was one of the main problems prior to 1994 genocide. The Rwandan genocide had a devastating impact on the society, with women bearing the brunt of the violence and upheaval. In the years following the genocide, the Rwandan government has made concerted efforts to empower women and promote their participation in political and economic spheres. This study aims to investigate women’s empowerment situation in Rwanda by creating a multidimensional empowerment index. For this purpose, the method analysed in Alkire et al. (2013) was applied, using data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey 2019–2020 (NISR, MOH, & ICF, 2021) which covers both rural and urban populations, to explore the barriers to women’s empowerment in the aftermath of the genocide. The analysis reveals that many women, especially in rural areas, continue to face significant disadvantages and obstacles to their empowerment. The findings suggest that the primary obstacles to women’s empowerment arise from the dimensions of individual agency and the prevalence of violence, particularly in rural areas.