Social Tourism in Europe: Theory and Practice

by Scott McCabe, Lynn Minnaert, Anya Diekmann

Overview

This book, the first on social tourism in English, provides a comprehensive analysis of the various systems and practices in support of disadvantaged people's enjoyment of tourism. Combining theory and practice and a truly European perspective, this book provides an interdisciplinary approach to examine the concepts and contexts underpinning social tourism that will be a key reference point for students, practitioners and researchers. Theoretical perspectives on social tourism are assessed in the context of social inequality, sustainability, family diversity, mobility and the welfare society. The case studies cover public initiatives, charities and voluntary organisations, from a range of different countries including the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark and Poland, covering the diversity of systems and practices in Europe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781845412326
Publisher:	Multilingual Matters Ltd.
Publication date:	10/26/2011
Series:	Aspects of Tourism , #52
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Scott McCabe graduated from his doctoral studies in 2001 and has been working in higher education for last sixteen years. Scott is currently head of the Marketing Division at Nottingham UniversityBusiness School, where he has worked for seven years. Previously he worked in the hospitality sector, mainly in small hotels, restaurants and bars, travelling widely in Europe, Australia and South East Asia. He worked for a time in the fine wine trade.

Dr Lynn Minnaert is a lecturer in tourism and events at the University of Surrey. Her research focuses on social tourism and social sustainability in tourism and events.

Anya Diekmann is Professor of Tourism at the Universityé Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium. Her research focuses mainly on cultural tourism, urban ethnic and slum tourism as well as social tourism.

Table of Contents

Figures ix

Tables x

Acknowledgements xi

Contributors xii

1 Introduction Scott McCabe Lynn Minnaert Anya Diekmann 1

Structure of the Book 6

The Case Studies: Social Tourism Practices 10

Conclusions 12

Case Study 1 International Social Tourism Organisation (ISTO, formerly BITS) Charles Belanger 14

2 Defining Social Tourism and its Historical Context Lynn Minnaert Anya Diekmann Scott McCabe 18

Definitions 20

Social Tourism in Europe: A Brief History 24

Conclusions 27

Case Study 2 Holiday Participation Centre (Steunpunt Vakantieparticipatie), Flanders, Belgium Marianne Schapmans 31

3 Social Tourism Today: Stakeholders, and Supply and Demand Factors Anya Diekmann Scott McCabe Lynn Minnaert 35

An Explanatory Framework for the Common Organisational Structure of Social Tourism in Europe 36

Unpacking the Demand for Social Tourism 39

Social Tourism Systems 40

Intermediary Organisations 43

Commercial and Social Tourism: An Ambivalent Relationship 43

Developing Unified Social Tourism Implementation Schemes 44

Conclusions 45

Case Study 3 Family Holiday Association, UK Thea Joldesma 48

4 Resisting the Hegemony of the Market: Reclaiming the Social Capacities of Tourism Freya Higgins-Desbiolles 53

Hegemonic Neoliberalism and its Impacts 53

Neoliberalism and Tourism 55

Tourism as an Industry: The Marketisation of Tourism 56

Tourism as a Social Force: The Transformative Capacity of Tourism 59

Tourism and Travel as a Human Right 60

Social Tourism: A Forgotten Commitment to Humanity 61

Conclusions 66

Case Study 4 Labour Market Holiday Fund (Arbejdsmarkedets Feriefond), Denmark Anne-Mette Hjalager 69

5 Social Tourism and the Social Economy Gilles Caire 73

Social Tourism in France: A Considerable Economic Player 74

The Origins of Social Tourism in France 76

The Implementation of a Fordist Form of Social Tourism 78

Holiday Villages: Professionalisation and Standardisation 80

The Beginning of Competition, Resistance and Innovation 83

Conclusions: Social Tourism and the French Model: A Cultural Exception 86

Case Study 5 Floreal (Joie et Vacances), Belgium Kim Beaten 89

6 Mobilities and Social Exclusion: Towards a Research Agenda Kevin Hannam 92

The Mobilities Paradigm 93

Leisure, Social Inequalities and Mobilities 95

Children's Mobilities 97

Conclusions 99

Case Study 6 The Sunshine Fund, Ireland Tom MacMahon 104

7 The Welfare Society and Tourism: European Perspectives Derek Hall Frances Brown 108

Access to Leisure Travel as Welfare 108

The Welfare State in Europe 112

International Differences in Access to Holidays 113

Models of Social Tourism in Europe 115

The Evolution of Social Tourism under State Socialism 116

Conclusions 118

Case Study 7 Polish Tourist Country-Lovers' Society (Polskie Towarzystwo Turystyczno-Krajoznawcze, PTTK) Pawel Zan 122

8 The Family Factor in Social Tourism Elizabeth Such Tess Kay 126

The Representation of Family Diversity in Tourism Research 127

The Significance of Free-Time Activity in Family Life 129

The Parameters of Diversity in Contemporary 'Family' 131

Responding to Diversity in Family Research in Tourism Studies 135

Conclusions 138

Case Study 8 The Family Fund, UK Clare Kassa 142

9 Disability, Representation and Access to Tourism Gareth Shave Sheeta Agarwal 145

Policy Contexts: Empowering the Disabled Tourist 146

The Holiday Experiences of People with Disabilities 154

The Embodiment and the Representation of People with Disabilities in Tourism Marketing 156

Travellers with Disabilities, Co-creation and Co-production 159

Conclusions 159

Case Study 9 Cooperative Social Society (Consorzio Sociale, COIN), Italy Anna-Grazia Laura 163

10 Social Tourism and Sustainability Christian Baumgartner 166

Sustainable Tourism 167

Social Tourism and Sustainability 169

Naturefriends: Origins in Social and Sustainable Tourism 171

Sustainability Challenges for Social Tourism 172

Conclusions 175

Case Study 10 European Union Federation of Youth Hostel Associations (EUFED) Constanze Adolph 178

11 Conclusions and Future Research Issues Scott McCabe Anya Diekmann Lynn Minnaert 184

Looking Back 185

Moving Forward 190

Index 198

Editorial Reviews

In austere times, Social Tourism has the potential to make innovative contributions to the restructuring of both the visitor economy and social policy. This book is a timely addition to the emerging research on this neglected topic. Its wide-ranging and challenging review of the concepts that underlie social tourism together with examples of how it is practised will make it invaluable to researchers, students and policymakers.

Robert Maitland

This well-researched collection of papers provides a refreshing insight into the diverse historical experiences and interpretations of ‘social tourism’ across Europe. Through a combination of penetrating theoretical analysis and up-to-date practical illustration it raises a number of fundamental questions regarding the role of tourism in contemporary societies and presents a powerful case for regarding tourism as more than a commercially-driven industry or item of discretionary leisure consumption but also as a vital social need and universal right.

Raoul Bianchi

This book, therefore, fills a need among tourism scholars and industry organizers who seek practical information on the rights and responsibilities assigned travel, and the socioeconomic and environmental sustainability of tourism in the 21st Century. I found it a useful resource for introductory university courses in tourism and cultural anthropology. I would also recommend it for anyone interested in the history of European tourism and the ceremonial nature of tourist activities.

Greg Ringer