Human Resource Practices in the Non-Star Category Hotels in Kolkata

In this empirical study, the authors made an attempt to examine the challenges faced by the human resource managers and employees as well as the benefits extended to the employees in the non-star hotel segment in the city of Kolkata It was also endeavored to ascertain the standards maintained by these hotels specifically the hygiene, safety, work environment and to mandatory legal and regulatory compliances. The results show that while these hotels were profitable and enjoyed a healthy market, the human resource practices were unhealthy and discriminatory in nature. Employees were neither provided with minimum wages and benefits nor have the establishments shown any interest in adhering to the mandatory compliances. This could largely be attributed to predominance of largely unskilled or inadequately qualified employees and a large pool of outsourced manpower.

An Empirical Study of New Age Employment in Tour Operations and Allied Areas

In this study, the authors makes an attempt to understand the aspirations of the new generation employees in tour operation business and allied areas. It is being attempted with the presumption that the takeover of information technology seeded the concept of micro enterprises in tourism which functions with the business model of low investment and good turnover. The focus was in identifying employee specific factors of encouraging and discouraging in nature in the fast growing tourism sector, especially job attrition and the dynamics of human resource management practices. Factor Analysis, independent sample t-test, multiple regression have been used to establish various relationships. The findings of the study are considered to be relevant since it quantitatively establish the dynamics of employment in tourism in India.

Tourists Shopping Behavior and Trip Typology: A Study in an Emerging Destination of India

Research findings consistently indentified the importance of inbound tourists shopping activities as contributor to local economy. This paper analyses the shopping expenditure of domestic tourists in the Northeast India. Previous studies show the associations of tourists trip typologies and demographic profiles, particularly, of the international tourists with shopping expenditures. A study was carried out in 2011 by employing a convenient method of sampling survey in Northeastern region of India comprising seven sister states to examine the association of trip typology, marital status and gender of domestic tourists with expenditure on shopping. The results indicate probable association of shopping expenditure with trip typology and gender while marital status does not seem to influence expenditure on shopping. Among tourists of different typologies, Rural and culture tourists scaled high reflecting maximum expenditure on shopping while Nature and parks tourists as well as Active outdoor tourists incurred least on shopping. Gender-wise segmentation indicates female tourists as high spender than male counterparts. It is advisable to retailers in destination areas to orient their products offerings attractive to the female tourists visiting to enjoy rural & cultural tourists and also those come with family members for leisure purposes.

Films and Destination Promotion: An Exploratory Study

Film tourism is quite a new concept, it is also referred to as film-induced or movie-induced tourism. It promotes the tourism advantage induced for any destination or country due to its exposure to public through the film media. This concept is at its nascent stage in the world. Many countries are found to work on this concept after realizing the benefits which can be reaped by their people, society and economy as a whole. Every theory, if advantageous, also tends to present some challenges. This mode of tourism promotion has its own benefits and challenges too for the administration, but, it depends on the government: local and central both, to make use of the concept in the manner befitting most for the locales and the economy. The international or worldwide famous films have been found to do wonders to the inflow of tourist for the country and shooting destinations in specific. Various governments have also started playing a significant role, and contributing by providing assistance to the film producers. In India we have had films promoting various destinations in the country itself through our own Bollywood, whereas some films under the international banner also have had some scenes or part of the film shot in the country. It would be of immense benefit to use this concept for the tourism industry of the country, but before that, it is essential to be prepared to deliver the required infrastructure and facilities. The study of this model is quite complex and requires an exhaustive research to understand the benefits (in exact measures) any country can reap for its economy. This paper aims to induce further research in the field and integrate the efforts and research in the field of tourism and management.

Human Resource Development in Tourism Sector: A Case Study of Orissa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (OTDC)

Skilled, knowledgeable, and competent people are the key resource of any industry, be it manufacturing or a service sector. Higher degree and quality of performance of tasks always require higher degree of skills and knowledge. Human potential in every employee is vast and it can be further enhanced by various interventions like training, job rotation, feedback and counseling, organizational action, etc. that make the organization dynamic and growth oriented. People who are not able to contribute to the organization fully due to reasons beyond their control can also give the best if they are taken care of with more attractive working conditions and better organizational climate. Many services depend on direct personal interaction between customers and firms employees. Professionalism has become the buzzword in service industries and the corporate world now-a-days is fast realizing the importance of Human Resource Development in the new paradigm of business. This research paper is an attempt to evaluate the state of human resource development as is existent in the Orissa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., a State – owned public sector undertaking of Orissa operating to provide the desired facilities and services to the tourists visiting the State. While analyzing various HRD aspects of OTDC, focus has been laid on employee training practice and performance appraisal system of the Corporation and suggestions have been given based on findings of the survey conducted for this research.

A Multimodal Discourse Analysis of Select Tourism Video Commercials of Incredible India Campaign

The view of exotic destinations, historical monuments, locals/natives, etc., with suitably soothing background music is the hallmark of Tourism Video Commercials (TVCs). These TVCs serve to assist the prospective tourists in forming a pre-visit mental image of a destination, but are seldom researched. The present paper attempts a multi-modal discourse analysis of two TVCs of Incredible India campaign launched in 2004 and 2013, integrating various tools from Destination Image Research Framework, Video Content Analysis and Film Analysis methodology. The repositioning of brand India is aimed by changing the Overt Induced destination image, which is achieved with different film making and editing techniques. But there are some common elements too despite the focus shifting from the destination to the tourist. The shift also showcases India as a safe tourist destination for female tourists.

Skiing in Gulmarg: Opportunities and Challenges

Tourism provides various attractions for tourists in the form of natural spots, built places, sports and games. Skiing is one of the attractions that is basically done in snow slopes of various tourism destinations around the world. Gulmarg in Kashmir is an all season destination providing various attractions and scenic views throughout the year. In summers, it turns into a meadow of flowers and in winters into a white gold destination. Skiing in Gulmarg is one of the most important winter sports. Its natural slopes, powdery snow, easy accessibility, highest and natural ski slopes, etc, provide the conditions of an ideal ski destination for all types of skiers. It is in this connection the study has been done to analyze the flow of visitors and skiers to Gulmarg and to evaluate the related requisite infrastructure there. The various opportunities that are available to Gulmarg to emerge as an international ski destination and the various challenges that are in this regard are studied through this research work. The study is primarily based on primary data although secondary data have also been used to complete the study. The outcome of the study is that Gulmarg can emerge as a leading Ski destination of the world provided it keeps pace with the technology and keeps control on pollution.