Tourism in the 21st Century; we all have holidays, don't we?
Author: Hannah Logan
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Abstract
Some groups in society are less fortunate than others and cannot afford to participate in leisure activities which includes holidays away from home and day trips. This paper focuses on families in the UK who are on low income and for them, travelling is a luxury not a right.
Key words: Social Tourism, Well-being, Quality of Life (QOL), The Family Holiday Association (FHA)
Tourism is one of the important factors shaping the world (Cohen & Kennedy, 2000) and it is argued that it contributes to the well-being of tourists by fulfilling human needs (WTO, 1999). Families who are on low incomes are affected significantly by a number of issues and circumstances which effect their well-being and it is said that holidays help improve QOL for this group ( FHA, 2012). Approximately two million families in the UK cannot afford to take a day trip to the seaside, let alone a holiday. Some families can also not afford to pay for their children to participate in school trips (Salman, 2011). The aim of all parents and children to have a regular family holiday has now been mainstreamed with social care policies and the government (Hazel, 2005) as it comes under the subject of personal well-being. 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 life requirement.
Social tourism is normally defined as "The inclusion of groups in society who are economically weak or otherwise disadvantaged in tourism participation" (Haulot, 1981; BITS, 1996), so allowing people to travel who otherwise would not be able to afford to. Social tourism is often provided as financial support for disadvantaged groups to allow them to take a holiday (McCabe et al, 2010).
The family holiday association (FHA) is a charity in the UK that works to provide breaks for families and children in need since 1975. Since the opening the charity has helped over 150,000 families to have a holiday. Help is provided to those in poor economic positions and those with socially deprived children to give them a holiday. The mission of FHA is " To work in partnership with others to promote the quality of family life for those parents and children who experience disadvantage as a result of poverty through the provision and by promoting access to holidays and other recreational activities" (FHA, 2012).
Some families suffer from poverty and see tourism as a luxury not a right, the most common reason given for non-travellers is that they simply do not have the funding (English Tourist Board, 1989) and it is expected that low income groups are the least likely to travel (Hazel, 2005). For these types of social tourists, there is little or no choice at all to go on holiday as they have other responsibilities that means that travelling for them is not an option. There are also seen to be other reasons why families living in poverty cannot afford to travel such as the financial costs involved, lack of transport and low levels of confidence (Hazel, 2005).
It is said that the children benefit from holidays by doing better at school, improving relationships with parents and appreciate what they have a lot more. Behavioural changes are directly linked to the holiday experiences. The parents also get time to relax and grow a more positive feeling towards their children by spending quality time together. Furthermore, the parents feel less guilt by providing their children with a holiday, especially if they have not been able to before and feel that they are helping with their children's QOL. Families could take part in many activities that they have never had the chance to do, or many never do again, even activities such as swimming could be important to family life as it may be the first time the family have had this opportunity, which will turn into a life-long memory (Higgins-Desbiolles, 2004) and it is common for this new behaviour to be repeated at home (Minnaert et al, 2009). After a holiday, it has been found that families also function better as family life, family time and the social lives of each family member are more enjoyable (McCabe & Johnson, 2013).
It is an assumption in society that tourism is a mentally and physically healthy pursuit to follow out in leisure time (Dolnicar et al, 2011) and that holidays give families a break from an everyday routine, relieving stress and giving a time to rest, reflect and rebuild emotional strength which is needed, even more so for parents and children living in poor environments (Hazel, 2005). Quality time for families are significantly improved from holiday participation (FHA, 2012) and it is reasonable to assume that holidays improve well-being and QOL. Holidaymaking is a known aspect of socio-cultural life meaning high investments and a lot of time and money is spent, holidays mean family quality time is enjoyed and appreciated a lot more and is often linked to growth and fulfilment (McCabe & Johnson, 2013).
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. 19, p225-236.
McCabe, S. (2009). Who Needs a Holiday? Evaluating Social Tourism. Annals of Tourism Research. 36 (4), p667-688
The Family Holiday Association. (2013). Social Tourism. Available: http://www.familyholidayassociation.org.uk/. Last accessed 1st may 2013.
Some groups in society are less fortunate than others and cannot afford to participate in leisure activities which includes holidays away from home and day trips. This paper focuses on families in the UK who are on low income and for them, travelling is a luxury not a right.
Key words: Social Tourism, Well-being, Quality of Life (QOL), The Family Holiday Association (FHA)
Tourism is one of the important factors shaping the world (Cohen & Kennedy, 2000) and it is argued that it contributes to the well-being of tourists by fulfilling human needs (WTO, 1999). Families who are on low incomes are affected significantly by a number of issues and circumstances which effect their well-being and it is said that holidays help improve QOL for this group ( FHA, 2012). Approximately two million families in the UK cannot afford to take a day trip to the seaside, let alone a holiday. Some families can also not afford to pay for their children to participate in school trips (Salman, 2011). The aim of all parents and children to have a regular family holiday has now been mainstreamed with social care policies and the government (Hazel, 2005) as it comes under the subject of personal well-being. 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 life requirement.
Social tourism is normally defined as "The inclusion of groups in society who are economically weak or otherwise disadvantaged in tourism participation" (Haulot, 1981; BITS, 1996), so allowing people to travel who otherwise would not be able to afford to. Social tourism is often provided as financial support for disadvantaged groups to allow them to take a holiday (McCabe et al, 2010).
The family holiday association (FHA) is a charity in the UK that works to provide breaks for families and children in need since 1975. Since the opening the charity has helped over 150,000 families to have a holiday. Help is provided to those in poor economic positions and those with socially deprived children to give them a holiday. The mission of FHA is " To work in partnership with others to promote the quality of family life for those parents and children who experience disadvantage as a result of poverty through the provision and by promoting access to holidays and other recreational activities" (FHA, 2012).
Some families suffer from poverty and see tourism as a luxury not a right, the most common reason given for non-travellers is that they simply do not have the funding (English Tourist Board, 1989) and it is expected that low income groups are the least likely to travel (Hazel, 2005). For these types of social tourists, there is little or no choice at all to go on holiday as they have other responsibilities that means that travelling for them is not an option. There are also seen to be other reasons why families living in poverty cannot afford to travel such as the financial costs involved, lack of transport and low levels of confidence (Hazel, 2005).
It is said that the children benefit from holidays by doing better at school, improving relationships with parents and appreciate what they have a lot more. Behavioural changes are directly linked to the holiday experiences. The parents also get time to relax and grow a more positive feeling towards their children by spending quality time together. Furthermore, the parents feel less guilt by providing their children with a holiday, especially if they have not been able to before and feel that they are helping with their children's QOL. Families could take part in many activities that they have never had the chance to do, or many never do again, even activities such as swimming could be important to family life as it may be the first time the family have had this opportunity, which will turn into a life-long memory (Higgins-Desbiolles, 2004) and it is common for this new behaviour to be repeated at home (Minnaert et al, 2009). After a holiday, it has been found that families also function better as family life, family time and the social lives of each family member are more enjoyable (McCabe & Johnson, 2013).
It is an assumption in society that tourism is a mentally and physically healthy pursuit to follow out in leisure time (Dolnicar et al, 2011) and that holidays give families a break from an everyday routine, relieving stress and giving a time to rest, reflect and rebuild emotional strength which is needed, even more so for parents and children living in poor environments (Hazel, 2005). Quality time for families are significantly improved from holiday participation (FHA, 2012) and it is reasonable to assume that holidays improve well-being and QOL. Holidaymaking is a known aspect of socio-cultural life meaning high investments and a lot of time and money is spent, holidays mean family quality time is enjoyed and appreciated a lot more and is often linked to growth and fulfilment (McCabe & Johnson, 2013).
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. 19, p225-236.
McCabe, S. (2009). Who Needs a Holiday? Evaluating Social Tourism. Annals of Tourism Research. 36 (4), p667-688
The Family Holiday Association. (2013). Social Tourism. Available: http://www.familyholidayassociation.org.uk/. Last accessed 1st may 2013.