The coronavirus pandemic has reinforced the need for sustainable, smart tourism and local travel, with rural destinations gaining in their popularity and leading to increased potential of smart rural tourism. However, these processes need adjustments to the current trends, incorporating new transformative business concepts and marketing approaches. In this paper we provide real life examples of new marketing approaches, together with new business models within the context of the use of new digital technologies. Via hermeneutic research approach, consisting of the secondary analysis of the addressed subject of smart rural tourism in adversity of the COVID-19 and 6 semi-structured interviews, the importance of technology is underscored in transforming rural tourism to smart rural tourist destinations. The respondents in the interview section were chosen based on their direct involvement in the presented examples and geographical location, i.e. France, Slovenia and Spain, where presented research examples were developed, concretely within European programmes, i.e. Interreg, Horizon and Rural Development Programme (RDP). Interviews were taking place between 2022 and 2023 in person, email or via Zoom. This two-phased study demonstrates that technology is important in transforming rural tourism to smart tourist destinations and that it ushers new approaches that seem particularly useful in applying to rural areas, creating a rural digital innovation ecosystem, which acts as s heuristic rural tourist model that fosters new types of tourism, i.e. smart rural tourism.

Consumer satisfaction can be defined as the user’s response to a service or experience compared to the user’s expectations and perceived practical benefits. After reviewing consumer satisfaction models, it can be argued that there is no single model of consumer satisfaction assessment that is suitable for every service and every region of the world, as the causes and outcomes of satisfaction often vary. The research is original in its methodology: at the beginning, a theoretical research model is presented, then hypotheses are formulated, and correlation, factorial, regression analyses were made, which results confirmed hypotheses. The crop insurance system consists of relations between the state institution regulates insurance activities, farmers, insurers and insurance intermediaries. The aim of this article is to identify the factors that determine consumer satisfaction with crop insurance and to assess their impact. The empirical study found that consumer satisfaction is determined by the factors of recognizable value, functional (process) and technical (result) quality, consumer expectations, and image. The most important factors that determine consumer satisfaction of crop insurance are recognizable value, functional quality, and consumer expectations. Consumer satisfaction can be assessed by the cost paid and the quality received, the quality expected, and the consumers’ evaluation of the services. It was found that the socio-demographic elements of consumers do not have a decisive influence on the factors that determine service satisfaction and consumer satisfaction. It is also established that socio-demographic elements of consumers (farmer experience and insurance experience) have direct statistically significant but weak links with consumer satisfaction.

The sustainable development of Madeira Island necessitates the implementation of more precise and targeted planning strategies to address its regional challenges. Given the urgency of this issue within the context of sustainability, planning approaches must be grounded in and reinforced by a comprehensive array of thematic studies to fully grasp the complexities involved. This research leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze land use and occupancy patterns and their evolution within the municipality of Machico on Madeira Island. The study provides a nuanced perspective on the urban structure’s stagnation in the region, while concurrently highlighting the dynamic shifts in agricultural practices. Furthermore, it elucidates the transformation of predominant native vegetation within the municipality from 1990 to 2018. Notably, the research underscores the alarming decline in native vegetation due to anthropogenic activities, emphasizing the need for more rigorous monitoring by regional authorities to safeguard and preserve these valuable landscapes, habitats, and ecosystems.

This study explores the feminization of poverty and the dynamics of the care economy in rural areas, focusing on the municipality of Génova, Quindío, Colombia. The novelty of this study lies in its analysis of the compounded effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s economic participation and care responsibilities in a rural context, offering insights relevant to Latin America. This study addresses the critical problem of how increased caregiving responsibilities and labor informality during the pandemic have disproportionately impacted economically active women, exacerbating gender inequalities. The objective is to analyze the relationship between the care economy and feminization of poverty, providing policy recommendations for post-pandemic recovery in rural settings. The methodology consisted of a two-stage approach. In the first stage, a probabilistic stratified sampling design was applied using data from the Colombian National Population and Housing Census and the Génova, Quindío, and Colombia Municipal Panel. In the second stage, fieldwork was conducted with a sample of 347 women using the RedCap application for data collection. The results indicate a significant increase in unpaid domestic and caregiving work during the pandemic, particularly for the elderly, disabled, and children. Additionally, labor informality increased, further limiting economic opportunities for women. The key conclusion is that public policies aimed at reducing gender disparities in rural labor markets must prioritize caregiving support and formal employment opportunities for women. These findings suggest that addressing the care economy is crucial for closing gender gaps and fostering equitable economic recovery in rural Latin American areas.

The study examines the economic and social impacts of a Southeast Asian multinational company operating in the northwestern region of Hungary, with a particular focus on the local labor market and community responses. The research aims to explore the company’s location choice motivations, its integration process into the local economy, and its cooperation with the local government and communities. The research provides a comprehensive picture of the company’s impacts by employing qualitative and quantitative methodologies—including management interviews and household surveys. The findings indicate that the company has significantly increased employment, enhanced infrastructure, and promoted cultural diversity. However, challenges related to cultural integration persist. The study offers valuable guidance for policymakers and businesses on leveraging the economic benefits of foreign investments and fostering cultural cooperation. Future research could delve deeper into the long-term socio-economic impacts.