This study explores an important issue in tourism, namely, the competitiveness of tourism. In the present paper, we aim at analyzing the relationship between tourism and national prosperity. The term competitiveness is a research topic intensively addressed in various fields, and it can answer current research questions related to a constantly changing tourism industry. Thus, the possibility of knowing how competitive this particularly important sector is for the five emerging countries considered in the study, namely, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, allows public authorities and entrepreneurs to estimate the revenues that can generate the field of hospitality. Also, based on these results, a series of national strategies specific to the tourism industry can be founded to lead to the increase of its competitiveness. We used cross-country multiple regression analysis to determine variables that are particularly important for the competitiveness of the hospitality industry, a fact for which the study has a theoretical and practical applicability. The study offers the possibility to anticipate the values of this index (TTCI), thus enabling government and industry bodies to take the necessary steps to increase specific competitiveness in the international market.

Our study analyzes the essential role of social innovation in reducing social exclusion and unemployment while improving citizens’ well-being through targeted public policies that enhance GDP allocations to social protection. Using Eurostat data and European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) from 2019 to 2020, a comparative econometric analysis of all 27 EU member states, focused particularly on Romania, examines the interdependence between social innovation, social protection expenditures, social exclusion, and unemployment rates. Regression and ANOVA models confirm a significant positive relationship between social innovation and social protection spending. However, Romania’s overall share of social protection in GDP remains well below the EU average, despite higher relative spending on health, pensions, and family support, reflecting structural limitations and a slower diffusion of innovative practices. As an exploratory effort, the study acknowledges possible distortions caused by the pandemic, which temporarily increased expenditures and altered long-term trends. Broader macroeconomic factors such as inflation, demographics, and technology were not included but may refine future analyses. The findings provide both theoretical and practical insights, suggesting that enhancing social innovation through public policy can strengthen social cohesion, improve quality of life, and support the sustainable development of national protection systems.

ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION IN SEVERAL EUROPEAN STATES: TERRITORIAL LEVELS AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMPETENCES ACCORDING TO THEIR CONSTITUTIONS

The set of “overarching principles” and shared values of member states, known as the “European Administrative Space”, from various documents of the European Commission and SIGMA, was revised in 2023 to adjust and upgrade the existing framework to the most recent practices and guidelines established by the OECD, the EU, and other international organizations. The present article explores this renewed vision of the consolidation of the European Administrative Space and the instruments that the European Union, especially the European Commission, will use to expand cooperation and offer support to Member States in planning and adapting their public administrations’ reforms for the current and future needs of their societies.

At the core of the EU’s complex agenda stands the Cohesion Policy, which has been renewed for the following stage, namely 2021-2027. The new cohesion policy places great focus on territorial sustainable development, particularly for cities, by introducing a supplementary objective titled “Europe Closer to Citizens”. The present article offers an analysis of the main elements of this renewed agenda on sustainable development of the cities and the instruments to reinforce convergence of its implementation, across European local communities.