Innovations are complex phenomena with important impacts on firms, regions, the economy as a whole, society, and the environment. Measuring innovation is a challenging and time-consuming task with many problems ranging from the conceptual framework to data collection and interpretation. The development of the produced variety of single indicators and multidimensional metrics covers one or more innovation characteristics—inputs, stages, sources, mechanics, outputs, and impacts. While the abundance of metrics allowed measurement of many innovation aspects, it also created problems with comparability, coverage, timeliness, and reliability, making it difficult for academics, businesses and policymakers to efficiently use the information, perform correct analysis and make adequate decisions. To address this problem, this article aimed to review the literature, develop instruments for the structuring and assessment of the innovation measurements, systematize the variety of metrics, and evaluate their compliance with the requirements of users’ needs and the quality of statistical information. The literature review identified 23 innovation metrics and helped create a classification scheme with 11 attributes and a criteria checklist with seven criteria groups. The results from the application of the instrument for the identified metrics revealed that they could be divided into three groups: appropriate, needing refinement, and unsuitable, with the best ones being the European Innovation Scoreboard and Global Innovation Index. They too showed some data gaps, connected with cultural environment, sustainability, open innovations, structural changes, and regional development, thus reinforcing the necessity for further advancement of theory and methodology for innovation measurement to augment the high-quality macro-information that is readily available with firm-level qualitative data of the innovation at the place where they emerge.

Objective: The purpose of this development is to present the opportunities provided by festivals as organized events for the sustainable development of tourism regions. Theoretical Framework: The article focuses on several key concepts. First, it examines the role of festivals as organized events in promoting tourism. Secondly, it is based on the sustainability principles, balancing environmental, economic and socio-cultural factors. Lastly, it considers event tourism as a significant driver for local development. Method: An empirical research which includes an analysis of published materials and documents that study organized events and festivals in particular as part of cultural and historical tourism was conducted. Results and Discussion: Festivals significantly contribute to the sustainable development of tourism regions by enhancing local cultural identity and attracting tourists. The successful organization of festivals can strengthen the image of a region, promoting long-term benefits for both the tourism industry and local communities. Research Implications: Festivals can serve as strategic tools for sustainable tourism development by fostering regional cultural identity and attracting tourists. Policymakers and tourism managers should prioritize festival planning and management as a means to enhance the economic, social and cultural sustainability of tourism regions. Originality/Value: The originality of the article lies in its focus on festivals as a unique catalyst for the sustainable development of tourism regions, highlighting their multifaceted impact on local economies, culture, and social cohesion. This study provides valuable insights into how well-managed festivals can enhance the long-term sustainability of tourism destinations, offering practical guidance for policymakers and event organizers.

Objective: The purpose of this development is to present the relationship between the implementation of innovations in the tourism business and its sustainable development. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, presents the main concepts and theories for the scope of innovation activity in the tourism sector. The main types of economic and non-economic innovations related to the sustainable management of the tourism business are highlighted. Method: Qualitative methods, including interviews and observations, were used in this study. Owners and managers of tourist organizations who are familiar with the innovative activities of the represented enterprises and can indicate the effect of their implementation were surveyed. Results and Discussion: The findings of the study highlight the importance of synergy between innovation and sustainable management of the tourism business. The study of the experience of the Bulgarian tourist enterprises proves that the implementation of innovations provides competitive advantages to the tourist enterprises and contributes to their sustainable development. Research Implications: A practical study is carried out, which presents the spread of innovations in the tourism sector in Bulgaria and proves that they lead to both economic and non-economic effects related to the sustainable development of the enterprise's activities. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by presenting the scope of innovation activity in the tourism enterprise and outlines the relationship between economic and non-economic innovations. The relevance and value of this research is demonstrated by addressing the specific topic of innovation in the tourism industry, which is an important area of inquiry given the dynamic nature of the sector and its significance for economic development.

Introduction. The changes that have taken place in the global economy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have had a negative impact on all economic sectors. The most negative manifestation of this is in the tourism industry. Bulgarian tourism is also among those hit hard by the crisis. This is evidenced by the many bankruptcies of travel companies and the reported financial difficulties. Many of the restrictions imposed on tourists when crossing national borders and the requirements for those wishing to use tourist services are just some of the reasons for the crisis in the sector. Its deepening is the basis for making recommendations to correct the situation. The reasons for the current study are the problems in the tourism sector and the threatening trends of frequent corporate bankruptcies, as well as the closure of many tourist sites. Aim and tasks. The aim of the study is to present the situation in which the economic entities of the tourism sector in the Republic of Bulgaria operate and to propose solutions for improving their financial and economic condition. The scope of the study used data for various indicators (visits of foreign tourists, overnight stays of Bulgarian and foreign citizens, turnover indices in the sector, etc.) describing the state of Bulgarian tourism for the period 2019–2021. Results. The processed data given an idea of the current state of the tourism sector in the Republic of Bulgaria. The study is a corrective to the problems in the industry, which are provoked by changes in the visits of local and foreign tourists. Based on the analysis, a set of recommendations were made to improve the state of the sector: achieving sustainability of tourist visits; stricter requirements for transport companies; provision of financial assistance by the government; opportunities to use the interest-free grace period for received loans; and establishing Bulgaria as a safe destination. Conclusion. The conducted situational analysis of the hotel and restaurant business in Bulgaria for the period 2019-2021 is the basis for making several recommendations aimed at stabilizing the sector. Some of them are related to: financial support for the tourism business given by the state; reducing the rate of tax due; ensuring an interest-free grace period for loans from financial institutions; providing opportunities for using funds under various programs for the implementation of innovations in the activities of tourism companies in order to increase their competitiveness and bring them into a state that meets national and world requirements for tourism business.

COVID-19 put the world and tourism in a situation that had not been predicted even by the most pessimistic forecasts of either theoreticians, or the people directly involved in tourism development. Hence the need of theoretical research of the issue and of didactic and methodological knowledge to disseminate the findings of such research into practice. The impact which crises have on tourism development is the subject of research for a number of Bulgarian and foreign authors. Currently, however, there seems to be no large-scale scientific or practical research into the impact which the COVID-19 crisis has had on Bulgarian tourism or the behaviour of Bulgarian tourists, so as to give specific recommendations how to deal more quickly with the negative effects from COVID-19 on the tourism business or on tourists. The research paper is upto-date as it is studies the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on Bulgarian tourism and gives major recommendations how to deal with the negative effects of COVID-19 faster to both businesses and tourists.