Republican News · Thursday 4 September 2003

Everyone deserves a break

European Social Tourism model should be embraced, says SF Councillor

Newcastle, County Down, Sinn Féin Councillor Willie Clarke has called for state subsidised holiday provision for people on low incomes. Cllr Clarke says that such a bold initiative would represent an effective redistributive policy instrument that could act to alleviate many of the corrosive affects of social exclusion. Commonly referred to as 'Social Tourism' in continental Europe, the delivery of state subsided holiday provision requires the active support and coordinated input of central and local government, employers, the tourism industry, and the voluntary and community sector.

"A recent Sinn Féin survey on poverty and unmet social need indicated that over a third of Irish families living on low incomes and/or state benefits have not had a holiday in the past two years," said Clarke. "Most were prevented from doing so because of a lack of disposable income and high travel costs.

"These findings, viewed in conjunction with a recent Family Holiday Association report on the benefits of Social Tourism in combating the effects of social exclusion for low-income families, show the potential to impact on improved mental health, reduced social isolation, stronger family relationships and a concurrent reduction in anti-social behaviour and petty crime.

"Working class families in the Six Counties have additional problems resulting from 30 years of conflict and sectarianism. We have very high levels of mental ill-health experienced by working class people compared to other parts of Europe with similar demographics. Perversely, these disadvantaged families are the most likely to benefit from a break, yet they are the most likely to be excluded from holidays.

"Sinn Féin wants to see Social Tourism developed in line with Continental Europe, where around 75% of families enjoy an annual holiday, compared with under two thirds of families in Ireland. If we are serious about developing a social inclusion agenda, then Social Tourism should be on a par with the level of state subsidised holidays provided to low-income families in countries such as France and Italy.

"Holidays are an essential part of family life and should be mainstreamed into social welfare policy. Newcastle is one of the North's must popular tourist resorts, yet many local working class families are unable to enjoy the town's leisure facilities and amenities due to high entry fees and the inaccessibility of transport.

"To redress this unmet need requires a national integrated framework of provision regulated and funded by the state and delivered in partnership with private sector transport and tourist providers, and relevant voluntary sector agencies.

"Additionally, a willingness among the middle and upper classes to fund the introduction of a comprehensive model of Social Tourism through progressive taxation is inextricably bound to the creation of social cohesion. Research has consistently demonstrated a clear and unambiguous link between a reduction in the symptoms of social exclusion and a reduction in criminality and anti-social behaviour.

"The thousands of families currently excluded from taking holidays represent a significant untapped market that could be developed through Social Tourism. There is scope for developing off-season, low cost breaks for low-income families, therein simulating a year-round income for the tourist industry.

"Social Tourism represents an effective 'win-win' policy instrument. Its introduction would give real substance and credibility to the objective of combating social exclusion and anti-social behaviour."