Gaining the Edge - Tourism StrategyReport on In-Depth Interviews
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phase2indepthinterviews.pdf (714kb)
One of the strongest arguments for pursuing tourism development is that it will bring employment benefits to the area (Keith, Fawson et al. 1996) . This is an attractive feature of the industry, especially for areas like the Vancouver Island region, which is experiencing a decline of work in its resource-based industries. While these claims are commonly accepted, little empirical research has been done to trace whether or not individuals are making a transition into tourism employment, and if so, what the impact of the transition is on individual quality of life.
The Tourism Labour Market Research Project, co-organized by Malaspina University-College and Tourism Vancouver Island, was funded by HRDC to study the tourism labour market in the Vancouver Island region in the fall of 2002. The project included three complimentary research programs including; 1) a mail survey to tourism organizations, 2) follow-up in depth interviews, and 3) a series of visitor surveys. This report will summarize the findings of the in-depth interview portion of the research project, which sought the following objectives.
Objectives of the study:
- Determine if individuals from primary industries like forestry and fishing are making a transition to employment in tourism;
- Assess the motivations for individuals choosing to make an employment shift to tourism;
- Report on the ease of individuals’ transition into tourism employment, and gain perspective on the resources required for successful adaptation.
- Report on the impact that shifting into tourism employment had on the quality of life of respondents;
- To provide recommendations for supporting transitions into tourism, particularly in rural areas undergoing shifts in the labour market.
The data contained in this report were collected from a series of in depth interviews with individuals who had made a transition into tourism employment after working in fishing, forestry, mining or agriculture. Individuals were located from responses to a tourism employment survey conducted in the fall of 2002 by the same proponents. A total of 22 individuals participated in the in-depth interviews from all areas of Vancouver Island.
The tourism employment survey found that 46 individuals, (14% of the sample, n=338) reported making a transition into tourism employment. Of these 15 worked in fishing, 18 worked in forestry, 8 in agriculture and 5 in mining.
Approximately on half of participants became an entrepreneur in tourism, starting up and operating their own business venture, which was usually in adventure or cultural tourism. The majority of new entrepreneurs were in their mid to late 40’s. The remaining participants were hired on by an existing tourism business. In these cases, all participants worked in administration or mid-management.
In the majority of cases, individuals chose to work in tourism to improve quality of life factors such as spending more time with family, living and working in the area of their choice, and having the opportunity to do something that they enjoyed and that meant working with people. A small number of the participants, who had experienced an injury, felt that working in tourism would allow them flexibility to work within their “new capacities”. Motivation for making a shift varied. Overall tourism was seen as a career of choice instead of one of circumstance.
Individuals reported that the transition into tourism had a range of impacts on their quality of life, both positive and negative. Things that improved for individuals when shifting into tourism included enjoyment of their work, more predictable time allocation, improved social relationships, opportunities to contribute to community, greater self esteem and sense of control, opportunity to learn new skills and pride of ownership or culture. Things that worsened for individuals included job related stress, particularly for entrepreneurs, for some, a lower income, for those working in the office, a sense of loss at being outdoors or with family.
The majority of individuals searched for or used some form of resource or support when making their transition into tourism employment. These ranged from government funding programs, small business development programs, College and University programs to the support of friends and family. In most cases, individuals experienced difficulties using programs due to lack of knowledge, access, or program structure.
Participants provided a range of suggestions on how the transition into tourism could be improved for others. Recommendations included improving access to resources and support in rural areas, ensuring small business training programs understand the nature of the tourism industry, developing innovative mentorship and training programs to support new entrepreneurs.
Back to Employment Survey Page or Continue on to the Employment Survey Results.
