Edinburgh Napier University

  This chapter provides an analysis of social tourism provision for low-income groups, focusing on the social and economic benefits of such provision. It begins by defining social tourism and discusses issues in relation to holiday participation, poverty and social exclusion. A number of examples of social tourism provision from across Europe are also presented. The chapter continues with a presentation of the benefits of social tourism based on two empirical qualitative studies from Ireland and the UK. The studies were carried out independently, but have produced largely comparable findings, enforcing their validity and strengthening the argument for the introduction of social tourism policies and practices in each country, respectively. The chapter concludes by presenting the potential relevance of social tourism on a social, economic and policy level.