Digital skills play a central role in the ongoing transformation of tourism and hospitality. This study analyzes several issues, such as the structure of digital competencies and workforce segmentation, within the tourism sector in Albania areas where empirical evidence remains scarce. The motivation for inclusion in this study focuses on the void between advanced technologies and the skills gap, while identifying opportunities for change in this direction. The quantitative design considers a sample composed of owners, managers, and operational staff. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, heatmap visualization, cluster analysis, and workforce segmentation. The data processing reveals that while foundational digital literacy is well-evidenced, a significant gap exists in advanced analytical competencies and emerging technologies. The findings regarding workforce segmentation into three distinct groups: Digital Pioneers, Functional Users, and Digital Laggards are of high importance. Equally significant are the findings concerning disparities in digital maturity across sectors. Sectoral analysis reveals higher advanced digital skill levels in accommodation and destination management, while food and beverage businesses show lower digital proficiency. This study contributes by providing an empirical framework that links digital skill structures, workforce segmentation, and sectoral differences, offering evidence-based insights for targeted digital upskilling in tourism and hospitality. The findings highlight the need for differentiated digital training strategies tailored to workforce segments, organizational roles, and tourism subsectors.

Economic growth and long-term output are significantly impacted by public investments. Public debt serves as a major source of funding for these investments. The purpose of this study is to assess, along with a few other macroeconomic factors, the short- and long-term effects of Albania’s external and domestic debt on public investment. The empirical research was conducted using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) estimation approach, based on annual data for the years 2000–2022. Among other things, the results demonstrated that Albania’s public investments are significantly and negatively impacted in the long-run term by external debt. However, for the period under consideration, there is no statistically significant correlation between internal debt and public investments. Furthermore, we discovered that the amount of public investments is positively and significantly correlated with both the gross domestic product (GDP) and foreign direct investments (FDI). The conclusions of the research can be helpful to the Albanian government because they shed light on the relationship between two main categories of public debt and public investments. The paper suggests that stringent project implementation guidelines be put in place by the government to guarantee profitable borrowing and closely monitor public debt.

As sustainability becomes central to tourism, tourists are no longer passive consumers but active stakeholders who influence organizational behavior. This study investigates how green consumer behavior (GCB) shapes expectations for employee green competencies and organizational sustainability strategy (OSS). Data were collected through a structured survey of 326 domestic tourists in Albania. Green skills expectation (GSE) was modeled as a latent construct derived from two observed variables: green loyalty and brand image, and willingness to support sustainability. Statistical analyses included exploratory factor analysis (EFA), K-means clustering and structural equation modeling (SEM). GCB significantly predicted both OSS and GSE, confirming that green tourists influence how organizations structure and communicate their sustainability practices. Cluster analysis identified two consumer profiles: committed eco-tourists and green-adaptive tourists. This study advances current understanding of how tourists act as external agents of internal organizational change. It extends the theoretical discourse on green marketing and sustainable workforce development by positioning tourist expectations as a driver of human resource transformation. The findings offer meaningful implications for tourism operators, educators and policymakers seeking to align employee training and service delivery with the demands of sustainability-oriented travelers. In this way, the study bridges the gap between consumer behavior and workforce development, contributing to a more integrated approach to sustainable tourism.

As sustainability becomes central to tourism, tourists are no longer passive consumers but active stakeholders who influence organizational behavior. This study investigates how green consumer behavior (GCB) shapes expectations for employee green competencies (GSE) and organizational sustainability strategies (OSS). Data were collected through a structured survey of 326 domestic tourists in Albania. Green Skills Expectation (GSE) was modeled as a latent construct derived from green loyalty and willingness to support sustainability. Statistical analyses included exploratory factor analysis (EFA), K-means clustering, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results GCB significantly predicted both OSS and GSE, confirming that green minded tourists influence how organization’s structure and communicate their sustainability practices. Cluster analysis identified two consumer profiles: eco-committed tourists and adaptive green supporters, with the former showing stronger expectations for employee level sustainability competencies. Implications: The findings highlight tourists’ growing influence over workforce development and HR strategy in tourism. Organizations must align internal competencies with market expectations, especially as consumer trust increasingly depends on the visible presence of sustainability values in frontline employees.