The struggle for low income families in the UK to have a holiday

Abstract: In today’s society holidays have become more and more regarded as a necessity rather than a luxury to consumers. This paper focuses on how low income families in the UK struggle to have a holiday and discusses what benefits they are missing out on.

Key words: Social tourism, low income, The Family Holiday Association, holidays, benefits

Taking a holiday has become an important and expected part life for so many consumers. 1 in 5 people now feel that a longer overseas holiday is a necessity they cannot do without (ABTA, 2012). The amount of holiday options available to consumers has grown and prices have also risen. For those on a low income, a holiday is often far from reach and not something they would even be able to consider. Income is not the only restriction to families in this position; lack of transport, low levels of confidence (Hazel, 2005) and inexperience of travelling (Minnaert, 2014) are other barriers low income families face. 1 in 3 families cannot afford a one week holiday (The Family Holiday Association, 2013) and 3.9 million children living in the UK were living in a low income household in 2008/2009 (The Poverty Site, 2009).

Social tourism is a concept which is more popular and more widely supported in Europe than the UK. It is about enabling specific groups in society to have a holiday, who ordinarily do not have the opportunity to do so. Social tourism covers a vast area including different holiday types, accommodation, activities and consumers (McCabe et al, 2012). It focuses on social inclusion and promoting access to all. Social tourism particularly concentrates on not letting those who are disadvantaged in society lose out on their right to have a holiday, this can include the disabled, the elderly, the unemployed and those living on low incomes. Taking a holiday has become an element of social rights in many parts of the world (Richards, 1999) and social tourism aims to help low income families have access to this right.

Low income families are often those most in need of having a holiday, yet they are the least likely group to take one. There isn't much support for low income families to have a holiday by the government within the UK however the Family Holiday Association is one very significant organisation that does help low income families. The charity promotes access to holidays and leisure activities and aims to increase the number families who have access to holidays. The Family Holiday Association supports families and provides vouchers or grants to enable them to have a much needed holiday (The Family Holiday Association, 2013).

The benefits that holidays bring are plentiful. Taking a holiday contributes to overall quality of life and can strengthen roots within the family unit. Children in particular can benefit greatly from going on holiday. Holidays act as a break from the pressures of life which affects children as much as adults. Children are able to build on their confidence and self-development. It is a time where children can relax and have fun and is a chance for them to truly be children, which is something that everyday life does not always allow. Holidays are also a chance for them to learn new skills, meet new people and experience new things (Quinn and Stacey, 2010).

Furthermore taking a holiday can benefit the family as a whole. It is important for overall happiness and well being and is a time for the family to come together away from the stresses of everyday life. Holidays provide a time for the family to bond and spend quality time together (Schänzel, 2013). They are also important in strengthening relationships between partners and between parents and children. A greater understanding can be developed and it enables the family to look at one another from a different perspective, this in particular was found in single parent families (Smith and Hughes, 1999). Holidays are a time for rest, reflection and a chance for individuals to build emotional strength (Hazel, 2005). Reinforcement of social problems, increased social exclusion and a negative effect on overall quality of life are just some of the negative impacts not having a holiday has on low income families.

Holiday camps such as Butlins and Haven are one type of holiday that is strongly aimed at families. To begin with, these started off as a cheap method for a family to enjoy a holiday over Europe and the UK. However, over time prices have become increasingly higher and this has pushed this type of holiday out of reach to families on low income. ‘A weeks’ holiday for a week’s pay’ was what Butlins were offering when they first started out. This same promise could probably not be upheld as easily in today’s market.

Why should families on low income lose out on their chance for a holiday? These are one of the groups in society which are most in need of the benefits that holidays bring. Yet there seems to be a lack of help and support which socially excludes them and puts them at a further disadvantage within society.

Three Key References:

Hazel, N. (2005) Holidays for Children and Families in Need: An Exploration of the Research and Policy Context for Social Tourism in the UK, Children & Society, vol 19 (3), p.225-236

McCabe, S., Minnaert, L. and Diekmann, A. (2012) Social Tourism in Europe, Bristol: Channel View

Quinn, B. and Stacey, J. (2010) The benefits of holidaying for children experiencing social exclusion: recent Irish evidence, Leisure Studies, vol 29 (1), p.29-52

This selected discussion paper was chosen by myself due to the detail of implications and struggles with low income families taking a holiday annually. As discussed, prices of holidays will constantly increase due to the demand of tourists now taking a holiday at least once a year, which is becoming a growing social and political issue in today’s society. This paper states that for low income families this could be a concerning issue as 1 in 3 families cannot afford a one week holiday, (FHS: 2013).

From reading the paper, the main reason why low income families are not taking family holidays can be due to many factors including unemployment, low paid job or even just having too much disposable income and not enough money for leisure. It’s also important to understand that some families may bring in a lot of money, but choose to spend their income on other things towards their homes, on technology or evening due to saving it for any issues they may face in later life. Some families may also not want to go on holiday and may feel that the money they do bring in is better off being spent elsewhere; this is an important point to consider.

It has become a social norm for families to go on holiday, so if any child’s family cannot afford a holiday it could lead to other social factors including bullying, isolation or discrimination, (Word Press, 2012:3). The author of this paper has clearly addressed that there are ways that low income families can now go on holiday due to the help from charities and organisations that helps families have a holiday, who ordinarily do not have the opportunity to do so. These charities and organisations include social tourism, family holiday association support and also holidays just aimed purely for families which include Butlins and Haven Holidays, the market is filled with resorts in place to attract and cater for family holidays.

As mentioned by the author holidays are important for anyone as they strengthen roots of a family unit and can reduce any pressures that the family face daily. It also gives the children chance to play and meet new people to improve their self-esteem and confidence. Families shouldn’t lose out on a chance for a holiday and as explained are in need of the benefits that holidays bring. Further help could be introduced to help low income families out to be able to afford a holiday, but it is also important to remember that if further help was there, would low income families take the help or just continue to live the lives that they already do, a holiday doesn’t make dreams come true for everyone including low income families.

References:

Word Press. (2012). Parenting on a low income. About families. p3.

FHS: The Family Holiday Association. (2013). The charity that gives families a break. Available: http://www.familyholidayassociation.org.uk/. Last accessed 09/05/2014.

A commentary produced towards this discussion paper has been selected by myself, due to the interest in social tourism in regards to the limitations and accessibilities of a family holiday. The conference paper produced by myself links in the with the focus on low income families in the UK, yet specifically details and underlines the key features of why low income families struggle to travel and how it is supported by The Family Holiday Association. Both papers differ as mine specifically focuses on a ‘traditional’ family holiday, referring to the British seaside, whereas this discussion highlights the importance of travelling anywhere for a week period.

The initial grasp of this paper can be suggested that the reasons of why low income families struggle to travel is due to a variety of existing factors in particular economical barriers. As noticed throughout this paper and existing research, there has been no reliable figure for families to holiday, however around 55 % of the UK population go on holiday, leaving 45% holiday-less (Schmidt, 2002).

Clear structure and reasoning of this paper has been delivered in highlighting the main points of the necessity of a family holiday for low income families. The author mentions how holidays are crucial for family bondage and vital to release pressures such as stress. There is evidence to suggest that holidays are considered a necessary part of life, as a study in the UK found that 63% of people find a week’s holiday to be a requirement in life (Mack & Lansley, 1985). This paper supports this literature and elaborates with detail on how tourism can fulfil the human needs.

Although individually I believe that low income families shouldn’t lose out on the opportunities to go on a holiday and see charities like The Family Holiday Association as a fantastic idea. There are arguments in literature as to whether or not it is fair for low-income families to have financial aid to go on a holiday. Higgins-Desboilles (2004) argues “that everyone has the right to travel, to leave any country and return home” whereas Salman (2011) has raised the thoughts of; if a person does not have a job to take a break from, why should they deserve a holiday and why should the taxpayer fund a holiday if a person can not afford their own. A recommendation and a way of improvement on this paper, would be to look at both arguments of the existing implementations. Additionally this could create an opportunity to seek some form of primary research to produce further originality and add value to existing literature.

References -

Schmidt, H. W. (2002) Tourism and the Environment, Statistic in Focus, Industry Trade and Services, European Union Theme 4 (40).

Mack, J. and Lansley, S. (1985) Poor Britain. London.George Allen & Unwin.

Higgins-Desbiolles, F. (2004) Reconciliation tourism: Challenging the constraints of economic rationalism. In: Chris Ryan and Michelle Aicken (eds) Indigenous tourism: The commodification and management of culture. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 223-245.

Salman S (2011) The Social Issue. [online] London: The Guardian. Available from: http://thesocialissue.com/2011/10/the-social-benefits-of-a-seaside-stay/ [Accessed 4th May 2014].