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The main aim of this research was to investigate whether and how digitalization affects sustainability and performance in wine tourism.

Based on the data emerging from the 2019 National Report on Wine Tourism from the National Association of “Wine Cities” in Italy (the most extreme case in the world of wine), three macro-agglomerates were investigated: digitalization, sustainability and performance, adopting descriptive and inferential statistics.

Although rigorous correlation between adopted digitalization and performed sustainability on one side and performed sustainability and market performance on the other cannot be verified for the 92 wineries under investigation, there is visible evidence that the more digitalized wineries are, the more sustainable they become and the better their performance. Evidence was not found to support the idea that the more sustainable wineries are, the more they are digitalized and the better their performance. Research implications and limitations to theoretical and practical application have been discussed.

Wine tourism, which is naturally associated with rural tourism, is a form of tourism in which sustainability has strong relevance, particularly considering the future needs/desires of post-pandemic tourists. At the same time, digitalization, especially in pandemic and post-pandemic tourism, is credited with developing a huge impact in this business, although wine tourism is most probably conceivable as a meta-market, with a strong cultural essence. In this respect, a digitalization > sustainability > performance approach seems practicable and globally profitable.

The study aims to investigate the influence of FinTech (Financial Technology) determinants such as crowdfunding, mobile payment and blockchain as potential facilitators in an entrepreneurial ecosystem for undertaking decisions in Tunisia, as an example of emerging economy.

Quantitative research was carried out with data collection based on a questionnaire that has been sent via email to young Tunisian entrepreneurs (potential or actual). A following regression was calculated on 93 respondents.

Analysis of the data showed that most of the relationships under investigation were confirmed. Statistical tests highlighted that knowledge, availability and access about crowdfunding and blockchain had a positive and significant impact on entrepreneurial intention. Regarding mobile payment, there was a negative and insignificant effect on entrepreneurial intention.

From the evidence of the research, Fintech ecosystems may positively influence the decision to undertake, with relevant implications at institutional, industrial and individual level. More specifically, demonstrating a positive and significant relationship between some main dimensions of FinTech and entrepreneurial intention and emphasizing the contribution of related knowledge to intellectual capital accumulation through entrepreneurial education, this study seems to be unique in examining and verifying this potential effect.