Social Tourism at the Crossroads

Social tourism is at a pivotal point. Over the past decade, there has been increased interest and research into social tourism issues, and as a result there is now much greater evidence on the important role that social tourism can play in providing significant benefits for the people supported through social tourism schemes. However, despite these advances and awareness of the benefits of tourism participation in most countries, there is still much confusion and ambiguity about the definition, role, and purpose of social tourism.

This comprehensive volume reflects recent shifts in social tourism research by focusing on target groups and the benefits or constraints of these groups in holiday participation. The authors explore the diversity of issues, theories and social contexts that are relevant to social tourism research, offering a range of quantitative and qualitative methods and experimental designs as well as various policy and practice contexts to address policy issues. They also highlight opportunities for greater intensity of research on the importance of policy in advancing social tourism and to stress the fundamental role that social tourism can play in achieving strategic policy goals towards enhancing wellbeing, citizenship, and quality of life in the future.

This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events.

Anya Diekmann is Professor of Tourism at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium. Her research integrates aspects of social tourism in Belgium and Europe with a focus on social tourism systems and the benefits of tourism on well-being and social inclusion. Anya is co-ordinator of the Alliance for Research of ISTO (International Organisation of Social Tourism).

Scott McCabe is Professor of Marketing and Tourism, and Associate Dean for Research, at the Nottingham University Business School, UK. His research focuses on the qualities of tourist experience, consumer behaviour, and tourist decision-making. He is currently Editor-in-Chief (alongside Sara Dolnicar) of Annals of Tourism Research.

Carlos Cardoso Ferreira is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Tourism at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. His main research areas are tourism planning and development, ageing and old age mobilities, and social and inclusive tourism. He has authored several publications on tourism and ageing, tourism development and planning, and senior tourism.