Small and medium-sized enterprises in modern economies and developing economies are the generator of economic growth and competitive advantages. In the developed countries, the SME sector is predominantly dominant over large companies and in some countries it makes up to 90% of businesses on the market. A large number of small and medium-sized businesses are focused on offering tourism products and services, especially in the area of renting apartments and small family hotels. The paper emphasizes the importance of proper human resources management in order to achieve competitive advantage and to provide as high a level of service as possible. Human resources management also includes motivating employees because only a motivated employee can happily do their job and thus deliver the maximum that the users will perceive and be more satisfied with the service provided. This is particularly true in tourism and hotels where employees are continually in direct contact with the guest. In view of the above, it is logical that there is a need for educating employees in order to increase work efficiency and adapt to the needs, desires and expectations of modern tourists on the dynamic tourist market. Given that small and medium-sized enterprises in hotel business are largely organized in a way that they do not have a large number of employees, motivation, and in particular staff training, is sometimes secondary and a number of small family hotels still do not see the need for educating their employees in order to improve existing and develop new knowledge and skills. However, given the importance SMEs have in economic development, they are increasingly focusing on this sector, and the owners and managers themselves see the need to offer their guests a quality experience that will be achieved through educated and motivated workforce.