**Huangshan Xueqiao Journal Hotel Capital Development and Hotel Tourism Education**
**Qiu Zhusheng, Dong Huangshan College, Tourism Nai, Anhui, Huangshan, 245021**
**Abstract:**
In the context of strategic competitiveness in the tourism hotel industry during the 21st century, the lasting competitive advantage of Qiaomiao is rooted in the development and utilization of human capital. Wen Xing has proposed several strategies to integrate higher education with the hotel industry, emphasizing the importance of aligning academic training with practical needs.
**Comment:**
In the knowledge-based economy era, the competitiveness of enterprises increasingly depends on talent. The concept of human capital has emerged as a key factor in this shift. As a labor-intensive sector, the hotel industry faces challenges such as talent shortages and high turnover. To address these issues, it is crucial to enhance the human capital of the hotel industry through college education, thereby building a strong foundation for future growth. This article explores the development of human capital and its relationship with tourism education in hotels.
**Modern Human Capital Theory and Its Role in the Hotel Industry**
**1.1 Human Capital and Education Investment**
Human capital refers to the investment in individuals’ skills, knowledge, and abilities, which contribute to their productivity. It emphasizes that the value derived from human capital is directly related to the investment made in education and training. In this sense, greater investment leads to greater rewards.
Theodore Schultz, often regarded as the father of human capital theory, emphasized the role of education, health care, on-the-job training, and migration in the formation of human capital. These factors contribute to the development of individual capabilities, which in turn enhance economic productivity.
Research shows that higher education levels correlate with higher wages and longer career stability. Younger workers tend to see faster wage growth, while older employees may experience slower increases or even declines after retirement. Thus, investing in education and training is essential for long-term career success and economic growth.
**1.2 Human Capital and the Development of the Hotel Industry**
With globalization and technological advancement, the hotel industry is undergoing significant changes. New products, faster technology updates, and global competition are reshaping the industry. These shifts have altered traditional competitive mechanisms, making it more challenging for businesses to sustain an edge through imitation.
However, human capital remains a unique and difficult-to-imitate resource. Creative use of skilled personnel can significantly influence a company’s competitiveness. In China, the hotel industry still faces challenges such as low-quality labor, limited skill levels, and insufficient human capital stock. This makes human capital development a critical component of the industry's strategy.
**1.2.1 Enhancing Cognitive and Moral Capabilities**
Developing human capital contributes to improving people’s cognitive abilities and moral values, providing intellectual support and motivation for the hotel industry’s growth. Modernization of human resources is essential for modernizing the hotel industry, which involves not only technological advancement but also the transformation of ideas and behaviors.
**1.2.2 Improving Innovation and Technology Absorption**
The hotel industry relies heavily on technological progress. Investing in human capital enables hotels to better absorb advanced management practices and improve decision-making and service quality. This, in turn, supports the broader development of tourism and the national economy.
**1.2.3 Addressing Talent Shortages**
Despite being labor-intensive, the hotel industry suffers from poor-quality human resources due to insufficient investment in human capital. This limits operational efficiency and hinders sustainable development. Establishing effective human capital investment and utilization mechanisms is vital for the industry’s long-term growth.
**Hotel Human Capital Development and Tourism Education**
Hotel human capital plays a crucial role in China’s hotel industry’s global competitiveness. However, there are misunderstandings about talent development within the industry. The solution lies in higher education and the efficient use of existing educational resources. Yet, there is a gap between the tourism industry and the education system, creating a “two separate aspects†scenario.
**2.1 Mistakes in Hotel Human Resources Development**
Many hotels expect new hires to be immediately productive, without investing in training. This short-sighted approach leads to wasted talent and poor retention. Hotels often lack long-term planning for human capital development, resulting in ineffective training and underutilized graduates.
Additionally, many hotel managers prioritize practical skills over theoretical knowledge, despite the need for both. While some hotels have developed their own management systems, they must also embrace theoretical advancements to stay competitive.
**2.2 Why Hotels Avoid Hiring Tourism Graduates**
Although the hotel industry requires professional staff, many hotels prefer secondary-level graduates over university students. This is partly due to the perception that college students are unprepared for frontline roles and seek managerial positions instead. Moreover, some professors lack real-world hotel experience, leading to a mismatch between education and practice.
The current tourism education system, shaped by a planned economy, focuses too much on theory and not enough on practical skills. As a result, graduates often struggle to adapt to the workplace, reducing their employability.
**Reforming Tourism Education for Better Integration**
To bridge the gap between education and the hotel industry, collaboration between schools and hotels is essential. Schools should focus on developing practical skills and aligning curricula with industry needs. This includes increasing internship opportunities, strengthening teacher training, and incorporating real-world experiences into classroom learning.
**3.1 Cultivating High-Quality Talents Through Interaction**
Hotels need to train students effectively to meet their operational demands. This requires integrating pre-employment training into the education process, ensuring that students are ready to contribute upon graduation.
**3.2 Strengthening Entrepreneurship and Service Awareness**
Schools should emphasize entrepreneurship, service spirit, and teamwork in their curriculum. Students must learn to serve others, work collaboratively, and maintain a positive attitude. This prepares them for the dynamic and customer-focused environment of the hotel industry.
**3.3 Combining Theory with Practice**
Tourism education must focus on practical training, including internships and real-world projects. Schools should collaborate with hotels to create stable internship bases and develop teaching methods that reflect industry standards.
**3.4 Leveraging Institutional Advantages**
Different types of institutions—such as vocational colleges, comprehensive universities, and specialized schools—can play distinct roles in talent development. By identifying their strengths and aligning with market needs, these institutions can produce specialized talents that meet the diverse demands of the hotel industry.
**3.5 Enhancing Teacher Quality**
High-quality education depends on well-trained faculty. Teachers must have both academic expertise and practical experience. Encouraging exchanges between schools and hotels, as well as supporting continuous professional development, will help improve teaching quality and student outcomes.
**References**
- Theodore Schultz. *The Economics of Human Capital*. Peking University Press, 2001.
- Wang Huajiao et al. *Analysis of Human Resources and Practical Thinking*. China’s Human Resources Development, 2003.
- Qiao Jodford. *On the Cleverness of Human Capital and Its Use*. Zhongqiao Human Resources Development, 2003.
- Zhang Hua, Lei Shizhen. *Guangdong Tourism Xuezhi and the "Big Explosion Flower City"*. China’s Tourism, 2002/12.
- The Staff of the Store College Students Lost Their Luck. *China Travel News*, 2003/12.
- Hu Lai. *The Cultivation of Specialized Talents in Qiaodian Should Focus on Social Needs*. China Tourismization, 2003/14.
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