旅游及社会政策---社会旅游业的价值(中英文).doc

英文原文 TOURISM AND SOCIAL POLICY The Value of Social Tourism Lynn Minnaert University of Westminster, UK Robert Maitland University of Westminster, UK Graham Miller University of Surrey, UK Abstract: Social Tourism for low-income groups forms part of social policy in several countries of mainland Europe, but little research evidence of its benefits exists. This study empirically examines these benefits in terms of increases in social and family capital. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with participating families and their support workers, in a semi-longitudinal research design. Social Tourism was found to increase family capital in the short term, and social capital—in terms of social networks, related pro-active behavior and self-esteem—in the medium term. These increases can be seen as beneficial for the participants and to wider society. Consequently it is suggested that Social Tourism may be a cost-effective addition to social policy. Keywords: Social Tourism, low-income, social capital, family capital. INTRODUCTION Hunziker describes Social Tourism as ‘‘the relationships and phenomena in the field of tourism resulting from participation in travel by economically weak or otherwise disadvantaged elements in society’’ (1951:1). It encompasses a variety of different initiatives, commercial and non-commercial, governmental and private, that aim to offer holiday experiences to groups that would not otherwise have them. It has been defined as ‘‘tourism with an added moral value, which aims to benefit either the host or the visitor in the tourism exchange’’(Minnaert, Maitland and Miller 2007:9). Examples of Social Tourism range from holiday initiatives for people with disabilities and charity holidays for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to the development of community-based tourism in economically underdeveloped areas. This article focuses on Social Tourism for members of low-income groups who would not otherwise go on holiday. In several countries of