Empowerment and human resource management in tourism.

Abstract This chapter analyses the strategic role of employee empowerment in enhancing quality and competitiveness within the tourism industry. Starting with a discussion that reviews some current definitions of empowerment, it intends to arrive at a practical understanding of what empowerment means within the service industry and what this entails. The chapter also explores supporting disciplines, in the interests of looking towards the future of empowerment and its potential to become a core strategic driving force.