What is social tourism?

Minnaert, L., Maitland, R. and Miller, G. 2011. What is social tourism? Current Issues in Tourism. 14 (5), pp. 403-415. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2011.568051

TitleWhat is social tourism?
AuthorsMinnaert, L., Maitland, R. and Miller, G.
Abstract

This article examines the definitions and implementations of the concept of ‘social tourism’ that are in use in Europe today. Examples show that the concept has been implemented in many different ways to suit national contexts and that the justifications and goals of social tourism can differ greatly. The question arises how one can define the boundaries of this versatile and complex concept. This article proposes a model to clarify the interrelationships between the different interpretations: it highlights where common ground exists, but also where contradictions are apparent. The model consists of four main categories: the participation model, the inclusion model, the adaptation model and the stimulation model. The model draws on the historical development of social tourism and the ethical foundations for provision, and it is supported by a range of examples of European practice. Through this sub-categorisation of the concept, it is argued that a ‘scientification’ of the concept of social tourism can take place, so that the term does not lose its academic and political value. This article concludes by proposing a definition for social tourism that can effectively set the concept apart from other forms of tourism with attached social benefits.

JournalCurrent Issues in Tourism
Journal citation14 (5), pp. 403-415
ISSN1368-3500
Year2011
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2011.568051
Web address (URL)http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13683500.2011.568051

Related outputs

Tourism Management: an introduction. 3rd edition
Inkson, C. and Minnaert, L. 2022. Tourism Management: an introduction. 3rd edition. London Sage.

Beyond image: Imagined experiences of a destination
Cherifi, B., Smith, A., Maitland, R. and Stevenson, N. 2018. Beyond image: Imagined experiences of a destination. International Journal of Tourism Research . 20 (6), pp. 748-755. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2227

The PTA: Promoting Swiss Tours, 1888-1939
Dominici, S. and Maitland, R. 2016. The PTA: Promoting Swiss Tours, 1888-1939. Annals of Tourism Research. 60, pp. 31-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2016.05.010

Destination images of non-visitors
Cherifi, B., Smith, A., Maitland, R. and Stevenson, N. 2014. Destination images of non-visitors. Annals of Tourism Research . 49, pp. 190-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2014.09.008

Prosuming creative urban areas. Evidence from East London
Pappalepore, I., Maitland, R. and Smith, A. 2014. Prosuming creative urban areas. Evidence from East London. Annals of Tourism Research. 44, pp. 227-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2013.11.001

Backstage behaviour in the global city: tourists and the search for the ‘real London’
Maitland, R. 2013. Backstage behaviour in the global city: tourists and the search for the ‘real London’. Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences. 105, pp. 12-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.11.002

Global change and tourism in national capitals
Maitland, R. 2012. Global change and tourism in national capitals. Current Issues in Tourism. 15 (1-2), pp. 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2011.634890

Capitalness is contingent: tourism and national capitals in a globalised world
Maitland, R. 2012. Capitalness is contingent: tourism and national capitals in a globalised world. Current Issues in Tourism. 15 (1-2), pp. 3-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2011.634891

Exploring urban creativity: visitor experiences of Spitalfields, London
Pappalepore, I., Maitland, R. and Smith, A. 2010. Exploring urban creativity: visitor experiences of Spitalfields, London. Tourism Culture & Communication. 10 (3), pp. 217-230. https://doi.org/10.3727/109830410X12910355180946

Everyday life as a creative experience in cities
Maitland, R. 2010. Everyday life as a creative experience in cities. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research. 4 (3), pp. 176-185. https://doi.org/10.1108/17506181011067574

Tourism and social policy: the value of social tourism
Minnaert, L., Maitland, R. and Miller, G. 2009. Tourism and social policy: the value of social tourism. Annals of Tourism Research. 36 (2), pp. 314-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2009.01.002

Complexity theory and tourism policy research
Stevenson, N., Airey, D. and Miller, G. 2009. Complexity theory and tourism policy research. International Journal of Tourism Policy. 2 (3), pp. 206-220. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTP.2009.024553

City users and the making of distinctive tourism areas in London
Newman, P. and Maitland, R. 2009. City users and the making of distinctive tourism areas in London. in: Diamantini, D., Martinotti, G. and Amendola, G. (ed.) Urban civilization: from yesterday to the next day Naples ScriptaWeb.

Tourism as a form of social intervention: the Holiday Participation Centre in Flanders
Minnaert, L. and Schapmans, M. 2009. Tourism as a form of social intervention: the Holiday Participation Centre in Flanders. Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice. 18 (3), pp. 42-61.

Tourism and the aesthetics of the built environment
Maitland, R. and Smith, A. 2009. Tourism and the aesthetics of the built environment. in: Tribe, J. (ed.) Philosophical issues in tourism Bristol Channel View Publications.

London: tourism moving East?
Maitland, R. and Newman, P. 2009. London: tourism moving East? in: Maitland, R. and Newman, P. (ed.) World tourism cities: developing tourism off the beaten track London Routledge.

Developing world tourism cities
Maitland, R. and Newman, P. 2009. Developing world tourism cities. in: Maitland, R. and Newman, P. (ed.) World tourism cities: developing tourism off the beaten track London Routledge.

Conclusions for world tourism cities
Maitland, R. and Newman, P. 2009. Conclusions for world tourism cities. in: Maitland, R. and Newman, P. (ed.) World tourism cities: developing tourism off the beaten track London Routledge.

"You want to see the people that live here": using everyday life to create a distinctive city destination
Maitland, R. 2009. "You want to see the people that live here": using everyday life to create a distinctive city destination. EIAT Conference. Belgrade, Serbia 25 - 27 Sep 2009

Tourists, the Creative Class and distinctive places: the roles of visitors and residents in developing sustainable city tourism
Maitland, R. 2009. Tourists, the Creative Class and distinctive places: the roles of visitors and residents in developing sustainable city tourism. TAIEX Conference: Sustainable City Tourism. Zagreb, Croatia 06 Nov 2009

Tourism in national capitals: developing perspectives
Maitland, R. 2009. Tourism in national capitals: developing perspectives. ATLAS Annual Conference. Aalborg, Denmark 27 - 29 May 2009 Taylor & Francis.

Tourism and changing representation in Europe’s historic capitals
Maitland, R. 2009. Tourism and changing representation in Europe’s historic capitals. Preserving Places: tourism and conservation for a sustainable enhancement of historic centres. Italian National Research Council, Rome 13 - 14 Nov 2009

London: tourism moving East?
Maitland, R. 2009. London: tourism moving East? City Futures in a Globalising World: an international conference on globalism and urban change. Madrid, Spain 04 - 06 Jun 2009

Everyday life as a creative experience in cities
Maitland, R. 2009. Everyday life as a creative experience in cities. Cities as Creative Spaces for Cultural Tourism Conference. Bogaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey 19 - 21 Nov 2009

Corporate hospitality in the economic downturn
Minnaert, L. 2008. Corporate hospitality in the economic downturn. Tourism Insights.

Social tourism in Flanders
Minnaert, L. 2008. Social tourism in Flanders. Tourism Insights.

Corporate hospitality in times of an economic downturn
Minnaert, L. 2008. Corporate hospitality in times of an economic downturn. ATLAS Business Tourism Meeting. Warsaw 23 - 26 Nov 2008

Visitor-host relationships: conviviality between visitors and host communities
Maitland, R. and Newman, P. 2008. Visitor-host relationships: conviviality between visitors and host communities. in: Hayllar, B., Griffin, T. and Edwards, D. (ed.) City spaces - tourist places: urban tourism precincts Oxford Butterworth Heinemann. pp. 223-243

We’re all tourists now: but what does that mean for cities?
Maitland, R. 2008. We’re all tourists now: but what does that mean for cities? in: Akbar, O. (ed.) Archilab 2008: European strategic architecture: exhibition catalogue Bauhaus Dessau. pp. 160-161

"Tourist spots are always very generic": the importance of everyday life for distinctive urban destinations
Maitland, R. 2008. "Tourist spots are always very generic": the importance of everyday life for distinctive urban destinations. Travel and Tourism Research Association Conference. Helsinki, Finland 22 - 25 April 2008

Conviviality and everyday life: the appeal of new areas of London for visitors
Maitland, R. 2008. Conviviality and everyday life: the appeal of new areas of London for visitors. International Journal of Tourism Research. 10 (1), pp. 15-25. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.621

Tourism policy making: the policymakers' perspectives
Stevenson, N., Airey, D. and Miller, G. 2008. Tourism policy making: the policymakers' perspectives. Annals of Tourism Research. 35 (3), pp. 732-750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2008.05.002

Social tourism: a potential measure against social exclusion? A UK-Ireland perspective
Minnaert, L. and Stacy, L. 2007. Social tourism: a potential measure against social exclusion? A UK-Ireland perspective. 3rd Annual Conference on Tourism and Hospitality Research in Ireland: 'Working Together'. Dundalk 12 - 13 Jun 2007

The need to incorporate cultural competence teaching in MICE education: a proposed teaching plan for exploring cultural attitudes towards women-only hotel floors
Minnaert, L. 2007. The need to incorporate cultural competence teaching in MICE education: a proposed teaching plan for exploring cultural attitudes towards women-only hotel floors. Second Collaborative Forum for MICE Industry in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macao. Macao 27 - 28 Nov 2007

Social tourism: a potential policy to reduce social exclusion?
Minnaert, L. 2007. Social tourism: a potential policy to reduce social exclusion? 39th Annual UTSG Conference. Harrogate 03 - 05 Jan 2007

Social tourism for low-income families as a potential policy to reduce social exclusion
Minnaert, L. 2007. Social tourism for low-income families as a potential policy to reduce social exclusion. RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2007: 'Sustainability and Quality of Life'. London 29 - 31 Aug 2007

Social Tourism: a potential policy to reduce social exclusion? The effects of visitor-related social tourism for low-income groups on personal and family development
Minnaert, L. 2007. Social Tourism: a potential policy to reduce social exclusion? The effects of visitor-related social tourism for low-income groups on personal and family development. PhD thesis University of Westminster School of Architecture and the Built Environment https://doi.org/10.34737/91z40

EDITORIAL: Special Issue, Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing: Marketing National Capital Cities
Maitland, R. and Ritchie, B.W. 2007. EDITORIAL: Special Issue, Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing: Marketing National Capital Cities. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing. 22 (3/4), pp. 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1300/J073v22n03_01

Tourism, the creative class and distinctive areas in cities
Maitland, R. 2007. Tourism, the creative class and distinctive areas in cities. in: Richards, G. and Wilson, J. (ed.) Tourism, creativity and development London, UK Routledge. pp. 73-87

Culture, city users and the creation of new tourism areas in cities
Maitland, R. 2007. Culture, city users and the creation of new tourism areas in cities. in: Smith, M.K. (ed.) Tourism, culture and regeneration Wallingford CABI. pp. 25-35

Cultural tourism and the development of new tourism areas in London
Maitland, R. 2007. Cultural tourism and the development of new tourism areas in London. in: Richards, G. (ed.) Cultural tourism: global and local perspectives New York Haworth Hospitality Press. pp. 113-129

Guest editorial: Theory and practice, strategy and sustainability
Adcroft, A., Dhaliwal, S., Miller, G. and Walsh, P. 2007. Guest editorial: Theory and practice, strategy and sustainability. Management Decision. 45 (1), pp. 5-9.

How can we manage the tourist-historic city? Tourism strategy in Cambridge, UK, 1978-2003
Maitland, R. 2006. How can we manage the tourist-historic city? Tourism strategy in Cambridge, UK, 1978-2003. Tourism Management. 27 (6), pp. 1262-1273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.06.006

Social tourism and its ethical foundations
Minnaert, L., Maitland, R. and Miller, G. 2006. Social tourism and its ethical foundations. Tourism, Culture and Communication. 7 (12), pp. 7-17.

Cultural tourism and tourism development in London
Maitland, R. 2006. Cultural tourism and tourism development in London. in: Richards, G. (ed.) Cultural tourism: global and local perspectives New York, USA Haworth Press.

Developing metropolitan tourism on the fringe of central London
Maitland, R. and Newman, P. 2004. Developing metropolitan tourism on the fringe of central London. International Journal of Tourism Research. 6 (5), pp. 339-348. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.496

Distinctive places and the reconfiguration of London tourism
Maitland, R. and Newman, P. 2004. Distinctive places and the reconfiguration of London tourism. 34th Annual Meeting of the Urban Affairs Association. Washington DC, USA 31 Mar - 02 April 2004

Lessons from the long term: tourism strategy in Cambridge UK, 1978-2003
Maitland, R. 2004. Lessons from the long term: tourism strategy in Cambridge UK, 1978-2003. Tourism: State of the Art II Conference. Glasgow, UK 27-30 Jun 2004

Are VisitBritain's marketing activities effective? Analysis of stakeholder views
Maitland, R. 2004. Are VisitBritain's marketing activities effective? Analysis of stakeholder views. London, UK National Audit Office.

The impact of public interventions in the UK tourism sector
Maitland, R. 2003. The impact of public interventions in the UK tourism sector. London, UK National Audit Office.

Partnership and collaboration in destination management
Maitland, R. 2002. Partnership and collaboration in destination management. in: Wober, K. (ed.) City Tourism 2002: Proceedings of European Cities Tourism's International Conference in Vienna, Austria, 2002 Berlin, Germany Springer. pp. 181-193

Creating successful partnerships in urban destination management
Maitland, R. 2002. Creating successful partnerships in urban destination management. Tourism. 50 (3), pp. 293-303.

Planning for leisure and tourism
Maitland, R. 2001. Planning for leisure and tourism. UK Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Planning for leisure and tourism
Evans, C., Maitland, R., Edmundson, T. and Morley, S. 2001. Planning for leisure and tourism. UK Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Tourism destinations
Davidson, R. and Maitland, R. 1997. Tourism destinations. London Hodder & Stoughton.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/8zz55/what-is-social-tourism


Share this

Usage statistics

3705 total views
0 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.