Tourism can be considered an educational experience: it is often portrayed as an integral part of personal development, that can be deep and meaningful, and that can change the way tourists think and act on their return. Relatively little however is known about these touristic learning experiences: research evidence on learning and behavior change in ecotourism highlights that the effects of the holiday are often limited unless formal learning opportunities are provided. This article reviews evidence about social tourism for low-income groups, and argues that learning and behavior change can ensue from the holiday experience without these planned, formal learning activities. These unplanned learning opportunities are theorized, and key conditions for learning are identified. Examples are provided of potential learning outcomes and of instances where these can lead to positive behavior change.
CampbellDonald. (1982). “Determinants of Choice of Goal Difficulty Level.” Journal of Occupational Psychology, 55: 79-95.
9.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). (2006). Opinion on Social Tourism in Europe. Brussels: EESC.
10.
FennellDavid. (2006). “Evolution in Tourism: The Theory of Reciprocal Altruism and Tourist-Host Interactions.” Current Issues in Tourism, 9 (2): 105-24.
11.
ForestellPaul. (1993). “If Leviathan Has a Face, Does Gaia Have a Soul?” Ocean and Coastal Management, 20 (2): 267-82.
HebbDonald. (1966). Textbook of Psychology. Philadelphia: Saunders.
14.
KalinowskiKatherineWeilerBetty. (1992). “Educational Travel.” In Special Interest Tourism, edited by WeilerB.HallC.London: Belhaven, pp. 15-26.
15.
KolbDavidFryHeather. (1975). “Toward an Applied Theory for Experiential Learning.” In Theory of Group Processes. New York: John Wiley, pp. 125-47.
16.
LaveJeanWengerEtienne. (1991). Situated Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
17.
LesserEricStorckJohn. (2001). “Communities of Practice and Organizational Performance.” IBM Systems Journal, 40 (4): 831-41.
18.
LuftJoseph. (1984). Group processes. An introduction to group dynamics. Mayfield Publishing Company: Palo Alto.
19.
McCabeScott. (2009). “Who needs a holiday? Evaluating social tourism”. Annals of Tourism Research, 36 (4): 667-688.
20.
MinnaertLynn. (2008). Holidays are for Everyone. Research into the Effects and the Importance of Holidays for People living in Poverty. Tourism Flanders: Brussels.
21.
MinnaertLynnMaitlandRobertMillerGraham. (2007). “Social Tourism and Its Ethical Foundations.” Tourism Culture and Communication, 7: 7-17.
22.
MinnaertLynnMaitlandRobertMillerGraham. (2009). “Tourism and Social Policy.” Annals of Tourism Research, 36 (2): 316-34.
23.
MinnaertLynnQuinnBernadetteGriffenKevinJaneStacey. (2010). “Social tourism for low-income groups: Benefits in a UK and Irish context.” In Tourism and Inequality, edited by ColeStromaMorganNigel. CABI: Wallingford.
24.
MinnaertLynnMaitlandRobertMillerGraham. (2011). “What Is Social Tourism?” Current Issues in Tourism, 5: 403-15.
25.
MitchellRichard. (1998). “Learning through Play and Pleasure Travel.” Current Issues in Tourism, 1 (2): 176-88.
26.
OramsMark. (1996). “Using Interpretation to Manage Nature-Based Tourism.” Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 4 (2): 81-94.
27.
OramsMark. (1997). “The Effectiveness of Environmental Education.” Progress in Tourism and Hospitality Research, 3: 295-306.
28.
PrenticeRichardSinéadGuerinStuartMcGugan. (1998). “Heritage Visitor Learning at a Heritage Attraction.” Journal of Travel Research, 19 (1): 5-24.
29.
RawsthorneLairdElliotAndrew. (1999). “Achievement Goals and Intrinsic Motivation.” Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3 (4): 326-44.
30.
RichardsTony. (1992). “Adventure-Based Experiential Learning.” In Empowerment through Experiential Learning, edited by MulliganJohnGriffinColin. London: Kogan Page.
