Approaching the Challenge

We determined that using focus groups and key personnel interviews would be vital in gaining valuable insights from tourism employees. These insights would help provide the information and data we needed to effectively create the resources Tourism HR Canada needed. 
The focus groups comprised a mix of employees primarily engaged in management/supervisory/leadership (e.g., human resources) roles and general workers. Interviews were set up with employees from all levels whose substance use ranges from potentially risky to those who identify as having lived or living experience with substance use.

Examining these different perspectives on substance use and tourism was important because:

• Organizational leaders are responsible for implementing policies and procedures and can advise on their unique challenges and needs.
• Employees can provide context around risks and protective factors related to substance use, including workplace culture, stigma and support needs, as well as insights into occasional but risky use (e.g., partying and coming into work hungover).
• Employees with lived and living experience can advise on the effectiveness of current accommodations for substance use issues, potential workplace challenges they have faced (e.g., stigma, organizational culture, pressure from co-workers, workplace risks, etc.), met and unmet needs related to hiring and return-to-work accommodations and potential solutions.

As part of the focus groups and interviews, we included employees from different industries within in the tourism sector, including:

• Accommodation
• Event management
• Food and beverage services
• Recreation and entertainment
• Transportation
• Travel services

Results and Impact

Using our team’s expertise and the key insights provided by the interviews and focus groups, we created a suite of guidance documents and materials to assist in addressing substance use health issues in the tourism industry. 

The resources include: 

• A literature summary of current research on substance use and the tourism industry
• A report summarizing the results from the focus groups and interviews
• An educational toolkit with information on:
  • Risks and protective factors for substance use in the tourism industry
  • Hiring considerations
  • Managing substance use-related incidents
  • Accommodation recommendations and considerations
  • Return-to-work guide
• A list of relevant resources for employers, and
• A printable staff information poster summarizing key messages and support options.

All resources were provided to Tourism HR Canada by the scheduled delivery date.