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Sustainable Human Resource Management in Tourism pp 121–132Cite as

Is Grass Always Greener on the Other Side? Under-Employment of Kenyan Hotel Migrant Workers in the UK

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Part of the book series: Geographies of Tourism and Global Change ((GTGC))

Abstract

The chapter discusses skilled Kenyan migrant hotel workers’ career experiences in the hotel sector, being part of the larger hospitality industry which is one of the fastest-growing industries globally. It highlights the plight of the workers who seek to enhance their lives abroad and those of their families left behind in their country of origin. Thus, they bring a notable level of cultural capital (skill, training and work experience) to the host country but are faced with career frustrations given the under-employment conditions they encounter. The hotel sector industry in the UK is one characterized by a predominance of migrant workers primarily because it is a sector that local workers tend to be disinterested in given its low-status. This contrasts the vibrant image the sector portrays in an African context.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland

    Ann Ndiuini

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  1. Ann Ndiuini
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Correspondence to Ann Ndiuini .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Resource Management, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

    Tom Baum

  2. Department of Human Resource Management, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

    Ann Ndiuini

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Ndiuini, A. (2020). Is Grass Always Greener on the Other Side? Under-Employment of Kenyan Hotel Migrant Workers in the UK. In: Baum, T., Ndiuini, A. (eds) Sustainable Human Resource Management in Tourism. Geographies of Tourism and Global Change. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41735-2_9

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