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Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to measure the extent of the adoption of human resource management (HRM), the existence of a formal HR strategy, and the development of the HR function in the Barbados hotel industry compared with Hoque's sample of hotels in the UK. Design/methodology/approach — A quantitative survey, covering 46 hotels out of a population of 75 hotels was conducted with the respondents being the hotel's management: a general manager, HR manager or line manager. Findings — It was found that the adoption of human resource (HR) practices was more prevalent in Barbados hotels than in the UK sample. With respect to the existence of a formal HR strategy, the results were mixed. The results also show that in many respects the Barbados hotels are ahead of their UK counterparts in the development of the HR function. Research limitations/implications — The research focused on a small sample in a developing country. In addition, responses were obtained from top management rather than all levels of staff. Practical implications — The findings about HR practices were based on management assertions. There is need for a follow-up with more tangible evidence. Originality/value — The paper highlights the importance of HR practices in a developing country. These findings were unexpected, given that the UK is a mature western economy, where Barbados is classified as a developing country. They may be explained by the better-developed formal systems for the management of employment relations at an industry-level in Barbados. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the shortcomings of the planning approaches to tourism development in developing countries by exemplifying the points made with special references to Turkey. Defects in the planning approaches to tourism development; Conclusion that there is a need for political stability, establishing supportive institutions and decentralization to develop and implement an appropriate contemporary tourism planning approach.

Ordinary Third World people (as opposed to the elites) find tourism in its present form highly exploitative and socially damaging, a new form of imperialism. It is characterised by gross economic disparities between tourist and host, racism and the flouting of economic and social rights of communities. A global code of ethics will only tinker with the problem, the roots of which lie in a profit-driven system which disregards social costs. The beginnings of a new, just tourism order requires governments to provide basic protection to powerless communities and their environment, and Christian churches to exercise moral authority to bring about justice. Above all, Northern tourists and their NGOs need to develop solidarity networks with the poorer communities, help fund community projects and think of ways of encouraging reciprocal flows from South to North. Keywords Capitalism, Race relations, Rights issues, Third World, Transnationals [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]