Purpose of the article: Minorities constitute a source of dynamism within their communities, both historically and in contemporary contexts. This paper explores the relevance of historical minority communities in shaping regional tourism development, with a particular focus on Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Methodology: Using a desk research approach, the study analyses how cultural heritage and community identity linked to minorities contribute to the diversification and sustainability of tourism. Special attention is given to projects aimed at restoring major minority-related attractions, which not only preserve cultural assets but also stimulate local economies. Conclusions: Regions or areas with a higher share of ethnic minorities may develop niche forms of ethnic cultural tourism. For these areas, there are more feasible arguments for obtaining project funding. Despite its potential, ethnic tourism remains marginal in most tourism development strategies. Originality: The paper further highlights the main forms of tourism associated with minorities, emphasizing their role in enhancing regional competitiveness and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is increasingly shaped by sustainability considerations, yet the field lacks a consolidated understanding of how these evolving drivers are captured through different methodological approaches. Addressing this methodological gap, this article explores various approaches to the relationship between FDI and sustainability, with a focus on how understanding of the factors influencing FDI is evolving. A systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection was conducted using predefined search terms related to sustainability and FDI. Following the screening process, the article analyses 143 studies published between 2016 and 2025. A systematic mapping review of the literature is combined with quantitative and qualitative techniques to highlight the current situation and existing trends, and to propose directions for developing research methodologies to enhance the investigation of FDI in the context of sustainability. The findings indicate that traditional determinants remain central, while sustainability factors are increasingly considered to influence location decisions. Importantly, methodologies are not associated with the set of determinants taken into consideration, but rather with the research design and the structure of data. Subsequently, the analysis highlights and discusses trends and gaps in methodological perspectives and proposes directions for strengthening research designs.