This final paper investigates the level of importance of the human factor in the tourism industry, especially in the hotel industry. The research was condicted from publications in which the authors presented in detail the importance of the human factor in the tourism and travel industry. The data taken from the WTTC, the European Union and Croatian official websites that contain statistical data on accommodation facilities, employment and trends in tourism provide a better insight into the number of employees involved in the tourism industry and the impact these data have on the economies of the countries participating in tourism. Furthermore, this explains in more detail which segments comprise activities that include the proper management of human resources, what these activities mean for the company and for the society as a whole, and what characteristics they have for employees or workers in tourism. The selected example of a hotel company shows how a particular business entity manages human resources within its organisation: the stages in the recruitment process, the employee selection followed by recruitment and further activities, such as education, evaluation and rewarding. The information obtained from the hotel company shows the level of complexity of the activities that include human resource management and what significance they carry for the operation of the selected economic entity.