Human resource management practices in tourism development with reference to Indian economy – a bird eye view

Tourism is the largest service industry in the world and plays a predominant role in the economic development of the country. The contribution of tourism towards world's exports is 8 percent with an annual growth rate of 5 percent over the past twenty years and more than 30 percent of the international trade in services, 10.7 percent of the global work force and about 12 percent of the world GDP. With world tourist arrivals expected to increase by 43 million every year on an average from 2010 to 2030 and FTAs in emerging countries expected to grow faster than in advanced economies, a goldmine of opportunity in tourism is waiting for India, which at present has a paltry share of 0.64 per cent in world tourist arrivals".

This article with the help of the review of recent literature has clearly emphasized the practice of human resource management in the development of tourism industry and economic development of a nation. There can be various reasons for a tourist to visit a destination of some interest. A destination might be visited because of its natural landscape or resource, historical monument, religious significance, shopping or it may be a man-made tourist attraction. But to create the need amongst the potential tourists about the destination and the human resource have potential for the economic and tourism development. India has realized the role that tourism can play in its economic development. According to some estimates tourism is one of the largest foreign exchange earning industries in India. It is in this context that the vital role of human resource management greater significance for tourism promotion and enhancement.