Topping up your SOCIAL STATUS or in need of a well-deserved break?: Which classification do YOU fall into?

Are tourists of today looking for an adventure to escape their day-to-day activities or looking for new topics of conversation to update their social status? This paper will examine the complications and impacts that social class classifications have on tourists.

Visiting the world-famous Victoria Falls, found in Livingstone, Zambia is considered 'an experience of a lifetime'. This topic has caused frustration and debate in Husbands (1968: 237) article related to the 'ignored class'. He discusses the development and controversy from the traditional 'sun, sea and sand' family holidays. The meaning of social class and classifications are recognised globally, and in short, 'those with money' are more likely going to consume tourism over those who cannot afford such activities. The discussion of social class and tourism opens a political debate to whether the structure of the tourism world is for the better or worse.

McCabe (2009: 674) discusses social tourism along with other authors, exploring charities that help support and provide funding for those less fortunate. This section also elaborates in detail the benefits of holidays that are 'back stage' / hidden from society that are extremely personal, and taking a break away allows the individual to recover, repair and restore. These theories are backed up with surveys that illustrate the imperative, and key benefits to taking a family holiday.

Unison discusses their charity input to help families across the UK 'take a breather' from society, relax and enjoy spending quality time together.
They help around 1,400 families a year. McCabe (2009: 674) highlighted the importance of taking a holiday through a survey completed from 498 participants. Each participant answered a series of four questions relating to the advantages of taking a holiday, and each had to be ranked in order of importance.
-51.2% answered the most important factor whilst taking a holiday allows the family to spend quality time together.

Various academic texts highlight importance for families to take breaks away from day-to-day routines, these include, releasing stress with routine, bringing families together and allow time spent to repair any damaged relationships caused by having no escape or access to tourist actives. Other benefits include 'time-out' from situations that cause depression on families such as death from close family or friend(s)

Sampson (2003: 193) discusses the 'workaholic' nature and their attitudes to annual leave, tourism and time out. In recent studies, reports show that the nature of this so called, 'workaholic' has an idea of working over-time, (within full-time work), shows enthusiasm and commitment, and proves to their manager their abilities in order for job promotions and so forth. Of course, the nature of proving that the employee has all of those qualities is somewhat vital, but when it becomes excessive it disrupted the individuals lifestyle outside of work. The results of this study displayed empathy with 'workaholics' from managers, however a more relaxed approach is attractive to enable a healthy work ethic. Those working too much, typically follow the natural progression of needing extensive 'time-out' from their working environment, which, in turn relates to a holiday.

An interesting choice of words by McCabe (2009: 681) as the research suggest those living in poverty, and not being able to afford a holiday or any 'time out' as being stuck within a lifestyle bubble. This could contradict tourism academic literature referring to a 'trapped' lifestyle as a bubble. Authors discuss the definition of a tourist bubble to relate to an area of land, (a port that a cruise liner stops off), to be completely man made, all authenticity is removed and replaced with a designed 'tourist bubble' in order to generate revenue and attract tourism. This idea of being 'trapped' within an experience or lifestyle can relate to all classes in society, and reflect upon how us citizens shape our experience. For example, those underclass are looking to 'escape', those A classification are looking for a new adventures...


Husbands, W (1968) Social Status and perception of tourism in Zambia Annuals of Tourism Research Vol. 16 (2) pp. 237-253

McCabe, S (2009) Who needs a holiday? Evaluating Social Tourism Annuals of Tourism Research Vol. 36 (4) pp. 667-688

Sampson, A (2002: 193) Weekenders and workaholics European Journal of Political Economy Vol. 18 pp. 193 - 208

First of all, I would like to say that your title seems very well chosen. To start a discussion paper with a question raises interest in readers because they are addressed directly. I chose your paper because I wanted to read further and to receive more information on this topic as mine (social tourism in Germany) deals with a similar theme.

After having read the first few paragraphs, I have to admit that I agree with "Husbands" article which seems to be an interesting source. People with a higher income can go on so many different holidays, as often as they like and therefore also experience all the positive benefits you mentioned, such as recovering from stress, taking a break from their everyday routine, strengthening their relationships etc. However, "the ignored class", which is a really good expression in my opinion, summarises in fact all those people who cannot experience all these benefits. But those are not only people who cannot afford to go on holiday but also disabled and elderly people. Maybe you could have mentioned them at this point as well.

Furthermore, it is interesting to see that the results of the survey, conducted by McCabe, can also be seen in some German studies. Spending quality time together really seems the most important factor while on holiday; even more important than recovering from stress, which I thought would be a very important factor as well. To underline your findings by including the results of a survey is in general a good means of strengthening your argument.

Regarding charities in the UK, it could have been a good idea to name some organisations which financially support people to go on holiday and to describe their main activities.

Overall, I found your discussion paper very interesting and well structured. I also liked the fact that you included the "workaholics" in your discussion as this is another interesting perspective to look at people who do not go on holiday. However, the topic also includes "topping up your social status through holidays" and in my opinion, you have not paid enough attention to this part but have concentrated more on the "ignored class". Besides, I only partly agree with your last paragraph as having a certain lifestyle does not necessarily mean that you are "trapped" and cannot leave that lifestyle. But it is a good ending to a discussion paper, as it leaves ideas and suggestions to further discuss and explore.