Human Resource Management for the Hospitality and Tourism Industries

The paper discusses the scope and impact of blockchain technology-BCT adoption in travel and tourism. Based on a review of literature and the few adoptions of Block chain technology in hospitality and tourism the paper reflects that BCT truly captures benefits and enhances the effectiveness of this technology and growth potential of hospitality and tourism industry. Starting with fundamental understanding of blockchain framework and systematic structure, functioning and scope of a blockchain system the paper discusses the critical factors, potential drivers and challenges of its adoption in the hospitality and tourism industry. The paper highlights the scope and use of blockchain in tourism and hospitality industry. In the post Covid time there exist big dilemmas in tourism and hospitality industry dealing with the disruption in its value chain which requires blockchain technology to smoothen its value network. Further, more empirical work is required in this regard to strengthen the hospitality and tourism industry. The paper suggests research gaps and directions for possible future studies that facilitate strengthening, sustainability and feasibility of supply chain in hospitality and tourism industry. Blockchain technology has definite potential to strengthen, sustain the competencies and transform the hospitality and tourism industry. The applicability of blockchain in hospitality and tourism industry embarks up its salient features like transparency, anonymity; integrity, decentralization etc., enable more secure end to end customer management systems. An interaction within the supply chain structures facilitates customer movement with tourism and hospitality physical kiosks.

Hospitality and tourism industry amid COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives on challenges and learnings from India.

Tourism has always been one of the most profitable service industries. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry is facing some big problems. As a result, the tourism industry lost a lot of money. This paper aims to find and rank recovery solutions to help the tourism industry. This article investigates two key areas: firstly, how government aid can best be prioritised among the various subsectors of the hospitality and tourism industry, and secondly, whether public assessment of the measures the US government took against the pandemic is related to the outlook for recovery, including the role played by perceptions of government performance and efficacy at handling the crisis and self-efficacy in terms of avoiding infection. Two studies were conducted among US consumers, using different methods of data collection and analysis. The first study utilised an open market valuation technique to explore how governmental aid might be prioritised among the tourism and hospitality industries. The second study used AMOS/SEM to examine travellers’ positive perceptions of the likelihood of hospitality and tourism industry recovery. Study 1 found that all six industry subsectors investigated (hotels, airlines, restaurants, car rentals, casinos and cruise lines) had been influenced negatively by COVID-19, with the heaviest impact felt by hotels and cruise lines. Study 2 indicated that the level of public satisfaction with the US government’s performance in addressing the pandemic was positively related to expectations of hospitality and tourism industry recovery. The findings could guide policymakers in deciding how best to allocate public funds between the different subsectors of the hospitality and tourism industry.

In the present era of globalization, human resources is the most important asset for any organization and a source of achieving competitive advantage. The theory, research, and practice of human resource management (HRM) has evolved considerably over the past century; experiencing a major transformation in practices within the most recent three decades. Today, HRM is regarded as the source of sustained competitive advantage for many organizations operating in a global economy, with no exception for the tourism and hospitality industry. While there is growing evidence that the practice of human resource management in the hospitality industry is characterized by informality, there is less evidence about the emerging theoretical and practical aspects of HRM. Thus, this chapter makes a modest attempt in the direction of building management concerns and advocacy for better HRM systems and practices in Indian hospitality industry.

Human resource management practice and policy are indicated as one business strategy to improve organizational performance. Research on the linkage between HRM practices and organizational performance has been widely discussed, however, some of them show inconsistent results. Therefore, this study proposes employee work behavior as an intermediary to deliver the impact of HRM practices and policies with organizational performance. In particular, this article discusses HRM practices and policies on companies which provide service on spiritual activities, so that the HRM practices and policies are actualized on the basis of the organization values. This research aims to analyze the influence of Islamic Human Resources Management (HRM) Practices and Policies toward Islamic Work Behavior and Organizational Performance. 67 companies with their main business are organizing Hajj and Umrah involved in this research. Research result shows that respondens has been practicing HRM based on Islamic principles. There are positive and significant result on the influence of Islamic HRM Practices toward Islamic Work behavior, however, two practices namely selection and performance appraisal shows non significant result. This is due to the lack focus of companies in doing selection and performance appraisal. They might more focus on how to provide good service to the customers. Managerial implication and suggestion for future research are also discussed.
 Keywords: Islamic based HRM practices, HRM policies, Islamic work behavior, organizational performance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the human resource management (HRM) policies and practices in consulting firms. The paper specifically investigates whether or not the HRM approaches in these firms mirror the two organisational archetypes of professional partnerships (P2) and manage professional businesses (MPB) found in the professional services sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on interviews with experienced consultants from a sample of 28 large and medium‐sized consulting firms with a presence in Germany and Switzerland. The paper uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the data.FindingsThe findings in the paper show that P2‐type consulting firms take fundamentally different approaches to HRM from MPB‐type firms. In P2‐type consulting firms, HRM is an integral part of the organisational system and is run in practice by consultants, rather than by specialised HR staff. P2‐type firms emphasise the notion of membership of individuals in an organisation tied together by extended socialisation processes and adherence to common values. In contrast, MPB‐type firms exhibit HRM systems with “corporate” features widely used in other large‐scale service organisations.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that the organisational archetypes prevalent in professional service firms have significant implications for their HRM systems. Consulting firms' HRM practices and policies should be interpreted in the light of their respective organisational archetype.Practical implicationsThe paper concludes that consulting firms should use HRM practices that fit the organisational archetype they embody.Originality/valueThe paper provides systematic evidence on the HRM policies and practices in an important yet under‐researched sector.

The concept of wellness is currently seen as an important driver of growth within the hospitality and tourism industry, but the ways that the large players within the industry have engaged with wellness has been largely ignored in the academic hospitality and tourism literature, and this represents a gap in that literature. This paper looks explore corporate approaches to wellness within the tourism and hospitality industry, and as such, the paper looks to help to contribute to filling the gap in the academic literature. The paper includes an introduction to the wellness concept and to its adoption by the hospitality and tourism industry, a short literature review, an outline of the frame of reference and method of enquiry, an examination of the wellness initiatives developed by some of the major players in the global hospitality industry, some wider reflections, and a brief conclusion. Keywords: wellness, hospitality and tourism industry, customer service experiences, sustainable development, leading hotel companies

Purpose This paper deals with the insertion of workers aged 50 years or more in the Brazilian labor market. Considering this question, the purpose of this paper is to raise evidence about the existence of ageism – prejudice against that age range. The paper identifies the characteristics of participation by workers age 50 or older in Brazil’s formal labor market. The paper also identifies whether and how the specific issues of these workers are handled in the individual employment contract, with the human resources management (HRM) policies and practices of a group of companies. Design/methodology/approach The study applied a quantitative approach in an analysis of the older population in the Brazilian labor market (Annual Social Information Report (RAIS) database and “MEPT” survey database – 2011/2016). The RAIS data are collected annually by the Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego – MTE, coming from all establishments with or without formal employees, whether statutory (public servants) or private organizations. MEPT survey is an annual study focused on quality of the organizational environment and HRM practices (organizations participate voluntarily). A qualitative approach was applied also in a document content analysis on information about HRM policies and practices based on MEPT companies’ research evidence reports. Findings There is evidence of ageism among private companies in Brazil with better HRM. These companies hire proportionally less old workers than the market and their HRM policies and practices scarcely handle with employees. The workers age 50 and over among the workers employed (private and mixed capital companies) have growing participation in the labor market. The profile of these workers is predominantly male, higher level education considering the market average, and working under longer lasting formal contracts comparing all workers combined. People involved in the individual hiring of workers from this age group do not even give this subject much attention. Research limitations/implications The specific objective of verifying if and how the specific issues that workers of 50 years and older are dealing; in the individual hiring for work, encountered limitations based on the restricted character of the data presented. In particular, the information related to the best companies (MEPT) is representative only of its own group and thus is restricted to the private sector. Although this cannot be generalized, they offer support for reflections on the subject. Practical implications This paper shows how companies with advanced HRM handle with older workers in their policies and practices. Social implications This work points out that that the aging of workers will be a problem to be discussed by the companies HRM in the future. Originality/value This paper identifies the need to study how companies will deal with the increasing number of older workers.

Purpose The paper emphasizes the critical role of managing employees' emotions in human resource management policies and practices, particularly within the hospitality industry. It aims to highlight the impact of emotions on workplace performance, well-being and organizational growth. Also, it proposes using innovative methodologies, such as electroencephalography (EEG) technology, to assess and understand employee emotions more effectively, seeking to enhance employee satisfaction, commitment and performance. Design/methodology/approach The paper’s design and methodology combined a questionnaire survey approach with the use of a portable EEG device on a sample of twenty hotel employees in Thessaloniki (Greece). Participants were asked to fulfill a validated questionnaire while an EEG device was used to input data regarding the specific emotions to observe and register the interplay between them. Data were processed employing descriptive, network and centrality analysis. Findings Results show that each employee has a complex network of primary and secondary emotions, indicating a sequence of interrelationships that comprehensively outline the employees' profiles. Based on findings, practical interventions were suggested such as: assign stimulating tasks, implement stress reduction programs, redesign workplaces, reevaluate roles and foster team cohesion. Research limitations/implications The study’s limitations include the generalization of the control method and the time-consuming nature of evaluating the data obtained from the experimental process. Additionally, the authors suggest exploring a broader range of emotions to form employees' more comprehensive emotional topography. Practical implications The paper highlights the need to incorporate emotional awareness into human resource management practices, particularly in the hospitality industry. Understanding and managing employees' emotions can enhance productivity, employee satisfaction and innovation while monitoring emotional profiles can aid in developing motivational strategies and improving employee engagement and performance. Social implications Organizations can enhance employee satisfaction, well-being and interpersonal relationships by fostering emotional awareness, leading to a more cohesive and supportive work culture. This can result in reduced stress levels, increased motivation and better mental health for employees, contributing to overall societal well-being. Originality/value The paper’s originality lies in its innovative approach to understanding and managing employee emotions in the hospitality industry through EEG technology. Researchers established a network topology of primary, secondary, central, peripheral and influencing emotions, offering valuable insights into human resource management practices.

The term IoT commonly used abbreviation of ‘Internet of Things’ is trending and ascertaining the possible disruption in the tourism and hospitality industry. The industry is a complex interaction of several stakeholders and ancillaries working together for the experience of the tourist. It includes host government, local population, attractions, transportation, accommodation, food, and Beverages etc. tightly embodying the local trade, art, craft, festivals, religion, culture and many more. The tourist is the end consumer seeking experience and justifying with his Imagescape. The Imagescape could be different for the same destination in different people’s mind. The destination management companies work in order to continue, refine, or modify the current destination image to increase the tourist flow. With the IoT, Big Data, blockchain technologies, the destination will become a closely monitored space for the behavior of tourists, shopping patterns, visitation to each attraction, time spend and monetarily benefits generated. The reports will lead to well-calculated decision making for destination management and development of tourism and ultimately impacting the GDP growth. The Tourism industry has always been witnessing the changes and has been upgrading its attire accordingly. There was a time when internet overwhelmed the industry with multiple upgradations and now the Internet of things is going to influence the industry and tourist vividly.Tourism has been changing with the shifting technologies for several years and has shown multiple advancements to its operations and processes. Another technological trend of IoT is converting Tourism to the Smart Tourism and IoT is the core technology to transform the tourism industry with the help of cloud computing, mobile communication, blockchain, big data and artificial intelligence aligned to enhance the tourist experience. The hospitality industry is counted mainly on the utmost service standards and their executions with intangible characteristics. In such a complex industry, the innovative technology IoT has begun its influence to seek the customer’s satisfaction, cost saving, and business profit. Apart from the personalized rooms, predictive repair and maintenance the IoT will be enhancing the guest experience as well through the Electronic Key Cards which is sent by the hotel on your mobile phone to access the room directly without wasting their precious time in the reception of hotel. The hotel may also charge the guest as per the removal of beers cans from the mini bar of the room without the additional run through of a staff.The paper is crafted to identify the impacts of IoT on the tourism industry and proposes the model to streamline the industry with tourist’s movement in order to analyze the tourist’s experience completely. The Tourism industry is widespread and includes several stakeholders in overall channel of the tourist circuit. The industry is full of diversities and experiences in diversities. The trending technology may act as a thread to sew all in one comprising the experience and solve the issues of accurate data collection in the tourism industry. Fourth revolution technologies all together making an impact on the working of any domain, and hospitality and tourism industry is one of the front runners in implementing these technologies. The IoT has already started its impact all around the industry and tourism industry is thriving to match the pace to be smartly connected with its guests all the time in hotels transportation or attraction. The technology is still in the early stages of growth and implementation. The paper is divided into three sections of introduction, discussion on influence of Internet of Things technology in different fragments of tourism industry and the impacts of IoT concluded with a proposed model. The model presented in this paper analyzes the impacts of FIR technologies in particular of IOT in tourism domain.

The hospitality, travel, and tourism industry remains one of the hardest-hit casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to assess the effectiveness of marketing strategies on the improvement of the tourism and hospitality industry after the COVID-19 outbreak in Arusha Region, Tanzania. The study specifically aimed to determine the effectiveness of pricing strategies on the improvement of the tourism and hospitality industry after covid-19 outbreak; to determine the effectiveness of promotion strategies on the improvement of the tourism and hospitality industry after covid-19 outbreak; to assess the effectiveness of product strategies on the improvement of tourism and hospitality industry after covid-19 outbreak; and to examine the effectiveness of policy strategies on the improvement of tourism and hospitality industry after COVID-19 outbreak. The study employed the relationship marketing theory while using a quantitative approach. The study also used a sample of 112 top and middle-level managers from three-star hotels in the Arusha region. Findings show that all variables namely product, pricing, promotion and policy strategies used had a positive significant relationship with the improvement of hotels after the pandemic outbreak. The study recommends that the tourism and hospitality industry should create a customer relationship management system to manage their relationships with leads and existing customers. Similarly, hotels must conduct marketing research to assess changing customers’ behaviour and comprehend their needs to develop relevant marketing strategies, which will contribute to improving the sectors' performance. Also, social media usage should be upheld by tourism and hospitality industries in promoting their products and spreading awareness of what the industry offers since it has currently been noted to be an easier way of reaching customers. Correspondingly, the usage of innovative systems such as travel websites encourages customers to comment or post their suggestions, recommendations, and reviews as a basis for creating more personalized offerings for the guests.

Tourism and hospitality industry like any other industry tries to put across its all the efforts for profit maximization and overall market leadership. Current Hospitality and Tourism industry is characterized by cut throat competition, new emerging markets, new opportunities, new challenges etc. Marketing of Tourism and Hospitality products require better strategies and techniques in the fast passed environment. In current scenario marketing strategies with faster response time is preferred by the marketers which has led to evolution of advertising and electronic media making the recent marketing tool very effective but only for the short term because in longer run these strategies don't sustain the organization mission and vision. The research methodology adopted is based on the secondary data from the reliable sources along with well structured interviews and personal observations. For studying the effect of celebrity endorsed hospitality products and services around 40 guests were interviewed and 400 questionnaires distributed in Gujarat especially in hotels of Ahmadabad, Rajkot, Baroda and Surat. Out of all the 400 questionnaires distributed the well completed questionnaires ratio was 35% i.e. 140. The present study was conducted on the guests staying in hotels of Ahmadabad, Rajkot, Baroda and Surat to know the impact of various marketing techniques affecting the choice of the guests. The study attempts to find out the effect of celebrity endorsed hospitality products and services and also to estimate the amplitude of profitability which might be feasible due celebrity endorsement. The study tries to understand the reasons of tourism upsurge in Gujarat due to recent promotional campaign and celebrity endorsement of Gujarat tourism by actor Amitabh Bacchan. The results revealed that celebrity endorsements also played a vital role in introducing either a faded away product or to generate curiosity and interest up to a fair extent in the Indian context as the domestic Tourism and Hospitality is a major pie in the overall Indian tourism and Hospitality. Study also tries to understand the other marketing styles in hospitality industry especially celebrity endorsed advertisements. Electronic Media like different websites, social networking sites like face book, twitter, advertising; sales promotion and the most recently flash marketing or mob marketing has evolved as marketing tools of modern society. The dire need of the moment in Indian or state tourism and hospitality industry is to reach to the world and showcase its true potential.

With the heat of emerging the Metaverse concept, the application of Virtual Reality (VR) technology has been elevated. VR’s importance is continuously growing due to its distinctive core traits, especially in the tourism and hospitality sectors. It is imperative to explore how VR adds value to its users. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore how tourism and hospitality industry service providers effectively engage with VR technology to enhance customer value. The study used qualitative research methodology and the phenomenological approach to extract the essence of this specific phenomenon. By unifying the noema, noesis, and intentionality concepts, the researchers captured the eight respondents' experiences regarding VR. Data collection was undertaken using in-depth interviews with respondents and analysis of data was completed using the generic qualitative data analysis procedure. As per the findings, from the service provider’s perspective, VR technology adds value to the customers of the hospitality and tourism industries in two ways; addressing customer issues through utility and by developing pleasant sensations. The result of this research study allows hoteliers to comprehend the importance of utilising VR to gain a sustainable competitive advantage by enhancing customer value. This research query will shine a new light on modern tourism and hospitality industry. VR technology is evolving rapidly, therefore future research should be constantly re-validated through continuous investigation of how VR can be used in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Introduction to Human Resource Management in Tourism and Hospitality Industry is written for the reference of students taking courses related to human resource management in tourism and hospitality industry. This book contains some information of tourism and hospitality industry in Malaysia. Included in this book is information regarding industrial relations in Malaysia which applies Malaysian laws as some of the international laws are not applicable in Malaysia.This book applies new theories and information from a new source of reference to help students gain a new perspective on human resource management in the tourism and hospitality industry. The scope of the content is comprised of the overview of human resource management in tourism and hospitality industry, recruitment and selection, motivation, training and development, performance appraisal, reward, organization communication, employee relations and labour relations, leadership, international HRM, and the future of HRM in the tourism and hospitality industry.

The article examines the specific features of investing into the tourism and hospitality industries as a tool for an effective realization of the tourist potential of the regions in modern conditions. Approaches to the formation of the conceptual principles of investing into the tourism industry have been improved, which include systematicity, alternativeness, investment culture, adaptability, complexity, risk evaluation. An analysis of the current development and the state of the investment support of the tourism and hospitality industries in Kharkiv region is made. Methodological principles stimulating investment provision of the tourism industry are proposed, namely, investors’ stimulation, investment decisions justification, considering investor’ requirements, using on-line investment monitoring. The purpose of the article is to study the investment provision of the tourism and hospitality industries in relation to the Ukrainian realities, as well as to develop areas of investment into the tourism industry at the regional level. The method (methodology) of the research includes general scientific methods – elements of the theory of logic; methods of theoretical generalization and the abstract-logical method; methods of comparison and grouping; the classification method. As a result of the research, the elements of the scientific novelty are obtained, which are as follows: the approaches to the formation of the conceptual principles of investment into tourism are developed which include systematicity, alternativeness, investment culture, adaptability, complexity, risk evaluation; methodological principles of stimulating investment provision of the tourism industry are proposed based on stimulating investors, validation of investment decisions, taking into account the requirements of investors, using on-line investment monitoring. Thus, the practical significance of the research lies in developing recommendations for investment processes into the tourism industry at the regional level, which will contribute to the formation of competitive advantages of the tourism and hospitality industries as a result of increasing the investment attractiveness of tourism industry in the region.