Tourism remains a dynamic sector requiring entrepreneurial ventures, workforce engagement and financial viability. The four studies included in this issue of JTSW provide valuable insights into these key aspects, offering both academic and practical implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders. Study 1 investigates lifestyle migrant entrepreneurs in Portugal, highlighting their resilience and long-term investment in rural tourism despite bureaucratic and linguistic challenges. Public support is crucial for ensuring sustainable tourism development through these ventures. Study 2 explores workforce dynamics in tourism through the lens of psychological contract breach and its impact on employee engagement in Spain. Findings suggest that violations of perceived agreements weaken psychological empowerment, reducing work engagement. Organizations must address these breaches to enhance employee well-being and operational effectiveness. Study 3 focuses on financial performance analysis of tourism firms in Turkey, emphasizing the significance of financial leverage in determining corporate success. The study underscores the necessity of sound debt management for sustained growth. Study 4 assesses the financial performance of tourism companies listed on the Borsa Istanbul Stock Exchange using the Range of Values method, which evaluates multiple financial indicators simultaneously. The study underscores the effectiveness of multi-criteria decision-making methods in financial analysis and contributes to a deeper understanding of key performance drivers in the tourism industry. Together, the four studies contribute to the holistic understanding of tourism's evolving landscape.