Linking Human Capital Management with Tourism Development and Management for Economic Survival: The Nigeria Experience
Bassey Benjamin Esu

Abstract
Although tourism has been identified as an important economic sector in Nigeria in the past three decade by previous Governments, it received very little political and leadership commitment. Well articulated policies have been formulated for the sector, which have not been implemented. The development of human capital is one component of the National tourism Policy. The survival of every tourist destination is predicated on the provision of effective human capital management for the tourism organizations and enterprises. The quality of service delivery in a destination is a reflection of the quality of its human capital. This paper investigated the challenges of human resource management in the Nigerian tourism industry, the challenges of tourism and hospitality education in Nigeria. The paper presented a conceptual framework which demonstrates the linked between human capital management and tourism development. It recommends a stakeholders’ approach to human capital development which would produce quality human capital that will in turn impact positively on tourism development in Nigeria.

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