Research background: In the context of constantly changing business environment, the financial sector is focusing on new trends in financial management systems. Nowadays, there is a need to achieve long-term financial growth, so financial managers try to develop new models for managing and improving the financial performance of businesses in economic practice. Purpose of the article: This article aims to determine the financial performance of travel agencies by applying modern business performance evaluation methods in order to create a performance portfolio (ranking) for the years 2013?2017, subsequently to reveal the concordance rate of order of the selected business entities by comparing applied financial methods in the context of performance benchmarking. The research question is as follows: Does the multidimensional PCA method in the form of the performance portfolio of travel agencies provide similar financial results compared to the EVA indicator? Methods: For measuring the financial performance of businesses, the method of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the indicator Economic Value Added (EVA) were chosen. Spearman?s rank-order correlation was applied in order to reveal the concordance rate of the analyzed travel agencies. Findings & Value added: The results indicate that by applying the PCA method, 6 key performance factors can be identified. Moreover, the findings revealed that the assessment of travel agencies using the PCA method and EVA indicator did not lead to the same financial results. Individual financial methods identified a different number of strong-performing and inefficient business entities. In this backdrop, we concluded that the business performance measurement based on the PCA method is not a suitable alternative to measuring performance using the EVA indicator.

Sustainable tourism is a challenge for current and future generations in an effort to develop it in the spirit of maintaining a balance between its basic pillars: economic, social and environmental. The presented contribution aims to identify the differences of significant social, economic, and environmental indicators with the tourism indicator. The analysis was carried out at the level of NUTS 1 - the Slovak Republic and at the level of NUTS 3 - Prešov self-governing region. In the first phase of the research, 6 significant indicators were identified at the level of the Slovak Republic and at the level of the Prešov self-governing region 5 significant indicators with tourism indicators. Comparison of significant indicators was carried out using torque characteristics of shape, position, variability and through a set of tests - Mann Whitney test, Levene test, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The differences between the indicators at the national and regional level were shown to be significant every time, regardless of whether the indicator was identified as significant, primarily in relation to the number of overnight stays at the national or regional level. The documented results point to the heterogeneity of the quality, and also the quantity of social, economic, and environmental indicators with the tourism indicator at the national and regional levels. It can be concluded that the sustainable development of tourism at different levels is conditioned by different indicators. This fact should be considered by the state economic policymakers and other tourism industry entities.

The paper presents the issue of sports activity development in the context of the European City of Sports project in selected Slovakian cities: Košice, Banská Bystrica and Nitra. It is an analytical overview aiming at the development of these cities for tourism through the organisation of international sporting events. Using several methods, especially comparison, the authors analyse certain activities and other sports-related issues. The events and activities not only contributed to the development of sport but also supported tourism in the region. A review of the literature on the subject demonstrates the importance and basic assumptions of the European City of Sports as a popular project. The comparative analysis has enabled the authors to present its results in each of the three Slovakian cities.

Digital transformation is increasingly reshaping how tourism destinations manage quality, sustainability, and competitiveness. This study examines these relationships in the context of a developing European economy (Slovakia), focusing on the mechanisms through which digital technologies enhance destination performance. The empirical research was conducted at the national level within the Slovak Republic. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a survey of 276 key tourism stakeholders. The analysis applies reliability testing, regression analysis, variance analysis, and an indirect-effect analytical framework to examine the proposed relationships. Digital Transformation (DT) does not generate competitiveness in isolation but acts as a strategic catalyst that enhances destination competitiveness primarily through improvements in Quality and Environmental Responsibility (QTS). Additional findings reveal significant differences in Quality and Environmental Responsibility (QTS) across destinations with varying levels of digital maturity within the examined national context. The study contributes to tourism research by integrating digital transformation and environmental responsibility into a unified framework of destination competitiveness, using Slovakia as a representative case of a transitional European economy. While the findings may offer indicative insights for similar transitional contexts, the study primarily reflects the structural specificities of the Slovak tourism sector. From a practical perspective, the findings emphasize the need for strategic alignment between digital investments, quality management, and sustainability objectives to achieve long-term competitive advantage.

Tourism enterprises are increasingly pressured to align competitiveness with sustainability, yet limited evidence exists from Central and Eastern Europe. This study investigates the role of eco-friendly orientation as a determinant of customer satisfaction and perceived competitiveness in the Visegrad Four (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary). Empirical research was conducted on a sample of 478 enterprises, including hotels, guesthouses, spas, agritourist facilities, and travel agencies. Data were collected between January and June 2025 using a standardized questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and ANOVA. The findings demonstrate that enterprises adopting more extensive environmental practices report significantly higher customer satisfaction (r = 0.43, p < 0.01) and perceived competitiveness (r = 0.38, p < 0.01). Factor analysis identified three key dimensions of environmental orientation: ecological operations, ecological innovations, and ecological marketing. Regression analysis highlighted ecological marketing, particularly the adoption of certifications and eco-labels, as the strongest predictor of competitiveness. ANOVA revealed significant cross-country differences, with Slovak and Czech enterprises outperforming Polish and Hungarian counterparts. The results suggest that ecological initiatives are essential for long-term competitiveness, providing both strategic guidance for managers and policy implications for fostering supportive regulatory and financial frameworks across the region. This study makes a novel contribution by offering one of the first large-scale empirical analyses of the link between sustainability and competitiveness in Central and Eastern Europe, a region where such research is still scarce. Theoretically, it extends the application of Ecological Modernization Theory to the tourism sector, while practically it provides actionable recommendations for managers and policymakers on integrating eco-certification and ecological marketing into their strategies. These insights underline the dual role of environmental orientation as a driver of both customer satisfaction and competitive advantage.

The presented paper focuses on the current state and evaluation of the integration of environmental innovations from the perspective of the tourism enterprise sector in Slovakia. The quantitative approach herein was conducted by means of a questionnaire survey for the assessment of perceptions about environmental innovations in 144 tourism accommodation companies regarding their importance, attractiveness, usefulness, and financial consequences. These innovations are essential for enhancing business efficiency and competitiveness despite their high costs and intensive maintenance. Important aspects include energy-efficient technologies, clean production technologies, and resource efficiency, which have reduced costs, enhanced corporate image, and improved environmental management. In any case, most obstacles have been linked to economic factors or the need for specialized training for these technologies. This analytical study, using descriptive statistics, semantic differentials, and the Friedman test, found no significant differences among businesses and a strong consensus on the adoption of these innovations to improve operational effectiveness. This research deepens understanding of how environmental innovations transform tourism businesses and contribute to business efficiency. Recommendations for policy and business practices that may successfully support implementation and ensure long-term benefits are presented.