Social Tourism

Baroness Rendell of Babergh Excerpts

Monday 23rd April 2012 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Rendell of Babergh]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will incorporate social tourism policies, such as the provision of holidays by the Family Holiday Association for people living on a low income, in future tourism strategies.

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, the Government support the work carried out by organisations such as the Family Holiday Association which provides holidays for families who would not normally be able to afford a break away from home, but we do not hold the view that holidays are a right. We do, however, keep an open mind about future tourism strategies. Our current priority is to encourage the potential that tourism gives to help the growth of our economy.

[Baroness Rendell of Babergh]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her Answer. Is she aware that there are more than 2 million families in the United Kingdom—about 7 million people—who never enjoy a holiday and who will probably never have one in their whole lives? Is she also aware that while social tourism has never had official recognition or been integrated into tourism policy in this country, in the European Union, several countries integrate it—notably France and Spain, but also Portugal, Greece, Germany and Italy.

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, the noble Baroness, Lady Rendell, asked a similar Question in February 2010. I know she is a redoubtable campaigner on social tourism and is patron of the Family Holiday Association. The Answer, which was very succinct, said that,

“the Government understand the value of access to leisure and tourism activities”—

and we are aware of the 2 million who never have holidays. It continued:

“By providing support for those who need it most, we are committed to a society where everyone can engage in leisure activities, including holidays, if they wish. A good example is our policy of free admission to many national museums and galleries”.—[Official Report, 8/2/10; col. 478.]

The noble Baroness asked about Europe. The Governments of some European countries, notably France and Belgium, take an interventionist approach to social tourism by directly funding or subsidising people to take holidays. Such countries take the view that holidays are a right.