Future of work in leisure, tourism and hospitality

5 tips for investing in human capital in leisure and tourism

Media show initiatives of employees who work in a different sector. It could be a bright new future. However, the risk for the industry is a high turnover of staff, especially flexible and innovative employees, which may result in damage to the image. It is therefore important to invest in human capital. The need for innovation for future-proofing requires sustainable connections and further development of the organisation and employee. For this reason, I have listed five tips for you below:

1. Find connection: entrepreneurs are looking for solutions, students are looking for issues. Entrepreneurs and education need each other.
2. Provide space for learning: invest in employees who now have less to do. Skills, knowledge and experience are important for both entrepreneurs and their employees to keep developing.
3. Sustainable employability: the current and new generation of employees want to work differently, namely more independently. Take advantage of this to keep them engaged longer.
4. Cross the road: exchange employees at busy and quiet times, but also look for opportunities in related industries.
5. Become future-proof: think about what the company will look like in a few years' time and invest in human capital to get there.

Lifelong Learning in leisure, tourism and hospitality 

We are working on a new vision of changes in human capital in the leisure and tourism sector. This vision will lead to a human capital research agenda. Part of this research agenda will be developing – together with the sector -  certified training programmes. In this way, we will provide a framework for Lifelong Learning. Would you like to cooperate with us?

This blog was written by Anke Arts, research lecturer at European Tourism Futures Institute/NHL Stenden University