Examination of Staff Training and Productivity in Hotels in Benin City, Edo State, South South Nigeria

This study examines the relationship between staff training programmes and employee productivity in hotels in Benin City, Edo State, South South Nigeria. Human capital development is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of competitive advantage in the hospitality industry, yet systematic approaches to staff training remain inconsistently applied among Nigerian hotel operators. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, with structured questionnaires administered to 180 hotel employees and 25 human resource managers across 12 registered hotels. Variables measured include training frequency, training type, skills transfer efficiency, and productivity indicators such as task completion rates and supervisor assessments. Findings reveal that hotels offering regular structured training report 34 percent higher staff productivity scores compared to those relying solely on informal instruction. Employees who received training within the previous three months demonstrate significantly better scores in customer handling and time management. However, 61 percent of sampled employees have received no formal training in the current year, and many hotels lack dedicated training budgets. The study recommends that hotels in Benin City establish mandatory annual training calendars, partner with local hotel management institutions for cost-effective training delivery, and incorporate training participation into staff performance appraisal frameworks. Government incentives for small hotels investing in workforce development are also proposed. Keywords: staff training, employee productivity, hotel management, Benin City, human resource development