This book combines theoretical and practical aspects of applied human resources management using a critical lens. It is both a descriptive and analytical journey through the tourism sector which, due to its nature, may be described as a relatively deregulated and eclectic industry. In such a context, human resource practice as presented in this book reflects these extremes.
The tourism industry, of which the hospitality industry is the core element, is one of the largest and the fastest growing industries world-wide. According to World Tourism Organisation forecasts, the industry will continue to grow and employ more people in the twenty-first century. In parallel with the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry world-wide, consumer expectations and demands for quality are rising while consumer tastes are varying on the one hand, and competition among the firms, both nationally and internationally, is intensifying on the other. In this business environment of heightened consumer expectations, distinct market segments that demand unique products and services, and stiff competition, tourism and hospitality organisations are looking for ways to excel in service quality, customer satisfaction, competition and performance. This book takes the view that employees are one of the most, if not the most, important resources or assets for tourism and hospitality organisations in their endeavour to provide excellent service, meet and exceed consumer expectations, achieve competitive advantage and exceptional organisational performance. The purpose of this book is to emphasise the critical role of employees for tourism and hospitality organisations and to examine the ways and means of managing their attitudes and behaviours for the mutual benefit of both parties: tourism and hospitality organisations and their employees.
The tourism industry is the largest service industry and the largest employment generator in the world. This was made possible by increasing globalization and disposable income, with the labor force playing an important role. Factors such as quality of services and business performance depend on a well-educated, well-trained, skilled, enthusiastic, and committed workforce. Contemporary Human Resources Management in the Tourism Industry is a pivotal reference source that provides research on the role of human resource departments in creating value for the workplace through innovation and efficient work processes. While highlighting topics such as organizational structure, gender equality, and employee motivation, this publication explores the development of organizational culture, as well as methods of translating business strategy into action through dramatically managing staff on all levels in the tourism industry. This book is ideally designed for human resources managers, business owners, business professionals, researchers, and academicians seeking current research on the organizational skills and strategies necessary in creating effective tourism businesses.
An organization’s workforce is arguably the greatest asset of any organization, and tourism and hospitality is an extremely labor-intensive industry. This volume takes an in-depth look at workforce issues in the tourism and hospitality industry, focusing on labor skills, ethics, rights, and more. It examines manpower planning beyond forecasting estimates to include investigative techniques in a way that offers insight for economic planning in both tourism and tourism education. The authors use economic, sociological, and psychological analysis and take a pragmatic stance on the challenges of the workforce. The authors look at the specifics of the labor market of the tourism and hospitality industry, discussing the current status of the industry’s organizations and how they are suffering labor shortages (qualitative or quantitative) and constant turnover—resulting in significant costs to organizations. Topics such as low wages and overdependence on tipping, workforce diversity, technological change resistance, and seasonality issues, and more are examined. The volume also provides a section on labor rights in the tourism and hospitality industry, which looks at labor trafficking and issues in social justice and human rights. Key features: • Provides an in-depth understanding of tourism employment • Presents a critical analysis of labor supply and demand in the tourism and hospitality industries • Considers the need for specific labor skills and training • Examines the reasons for labor shortages and turnover in the tourism and hospitality industry • Discusses labor ethics and social responsibility in hospitality/tourism organizations
Get an in-depth understanding of tourism education—worldwide! Global Tourism Higher Education: Past, Present, and Future extensively reviews tourism education on a global basis, focusing on the history, development, current status, challenges, and opportunities now present in various regions and countries. Leading international authorities discuss program administration, curriculum offering, faculty qualifications, and student learning in tourism higher education programs, exploring issues both specific to their own region as well as common to other areas around the world. This unique book offers educators and students a valuable informative view of the historical development, present situations, and future directions of tourism education. The main ingredient in successfully providing a quality tourism product is highly qualified, fully trained people. Global Tourism Higher Education compiles an impressive collection of interdisciplinary perspectives exploring various directions different countries are traveling on the road to quality tourism education. Chapters reveal the numerous challenges faced by developing regions as well as more mature tourism education locations. This book provides a useful overview of education strategies around the world, exploring educational issues that are common across borders. Countries and regions reviewed include Canada, the British Isles, Austria, Switzerland, Israel, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, and Australia. The book includes extensive references and graphs and tables to ensure understanding of research. Topics in Global Tourism Higher Education include: past, present, and future directions of tourism education in Canada, Hong Kong, and Taiwan five educational and tourism environments in the British Isles differences and similarities in tourism educational development in Switzerland and Austria accreditation processes of local academic programs in Israel reforms needed in Turkey’s higher education system the hierarchy of educational programs in China with suggestions for the future the problem of the quality of tourism graduates in Thailand the distinctive niche of Australian tourism education much more! Global Tourism Higher Education: Past, Present, and Future is timely, horizon-expanding reading perfect for tourism researchers, educators, students, higher education administrators, government education departments, and anyone around the world interested in developing tourism education programs.
This book explores a wide range of emerging cultural, heritage, and other tourism issues that will shape the future of hospitality and tourism research and practice in the digital and innovation era. It offers stimulating new perspectives in the fields of tourism, travel, hospitality, culture and heritage, leisure, and sports within the context of a knowledge society and smart economy. A central theme is the need to adopt a more holistic approach to tourism development that is aligned with principles of sustainability; at the same time, the book critically reassesses the common emphasis on innovation as a tool for growth-led and market-oriented development. In turn, fresh approaches to innovation practices underpinned by ethics and sustainability are encouraged, and opportunities for the exploration of new research avenues and projects on innovation in tourism are highlighted. Based on the proceedings of the Sixth International Conference of the International Association of Cultural and Digital Tourism (IACuDiT) and edited in collaboration with IACuDiT, the book will appeal to a broad readership encompassing academia, industry, government, and other organizations.
A comprehensive tourism manual, with contributions from top industry experts from The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Designed primarily for high school and college students in the Caribbean region as well as those interested in furthering their tourism career. "I congratulate and thank Angela Cleare and her contributing partners for this outstanding contribution to travel and tourism literature from a Caribbean perspective. It is obvious that a great deal of work has gone into this well-written book which covers all the elements of the travel and tourism industry as they relate to the region. I believe this will be not only an indispensable textbook for teachers and students and a handbook for investors and others directly involved in the industry but also a publication of interest to all of us who are in one way or another affected by the industry. I am particularly pleased to see the attention paid to ecotourism and the relationship between the industry and the environment." -Arthur A. Foulkes
For many communities and countries throughout the world tourism is the most valuable industry. Economic changes taking place in China, India, and the United States (with almost 3 billion people, half the world's population), for example, will have major impacts on the global tourism markets of tomorrow. Social-cultural changes in Europe, with borderless tourism crossings and a common currency, are increasing opportunities for tourism growth. East Asia and the Pacific Rim are experiencing unprecedented growth and change in tourism. From the perspective of economic policy, tourism for local communities is a vital economic development tool producing income, creating jobs, spawning new businesses, spurring economic development, promoting economic diversification, developing new products, and contributing to economic integration. If local and national governments are committed to broad based tourism policies, then tourism will provide its citizens with a higher quality of life while it generates sustained economic, environmental, and social benefits. The wellspring to future growth for tourism throughout the world is a commitment toward good policy. Governments, the private sector, and not-for-profit agencies must be the leaders in a sustainable tourism policy that transcends the economic benefits and embraces environmental and cultural interests as well. Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow addresses key ingredients for positive tourism policies and planning that will lead this generation and the next toward a greater quality of life resulting from tourism growth. The aim of this book is to provide government policy-makers (at all levels), business leaders, not-for-profit executives, university professors, students, tourism industry managers, and the general public with an introduction and examination of important policy and planning issues in tourism.
