Sustainability as a New Approach for the Human Resource Development in Tourism Sector

Abstract

The challenges related to human resource management and human resource development in the tourism sector can be defined as: low-skilled employees, inexperienced employees, shortages of seasonal workforces, a lack of staff motivation, and the frequent rotation of employees, in addition to various other issues. In the face of the above-mentioned challenges, the application of the sustainability approach into human resource development is discussed. Sustainability cannot only be treated as a paradigm for environmental management and social sustainability, but should also be applied in the development of human resources. The purpose of this article is to investigate the theoretical assumptions of sustainability as a new approach for human resource development in the tourism sector. Theoretical analysis, synthesis, and generalisation were the scientific methods used in order to achieve the stated purpose. Sustainable development can be considered at different levels: societal, organizational, and individual. Sustainable development of human resources can lead to the broader development of the organization and society. Different parties such as tourism companies, governments, public institutions, educational institutions, and international organizations take part in the sustainable development of human resources in the tourism sector. Inter-organizational collaboration can contribute to the sustainable development of human resources in the tourism sector.