Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 30 April 2013
30 Apr 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Social Tourism
I congratulate John Mason on securing the debate and bringing the topic of social tourism to the chamber.
It was on 18 March 1999, just over 14 years ago in his Beveridge lecture, that Tony Blair committed the United Kingdom Government to eradicating child poverty by 2020. Government policy on child poverty has been debated and scrutinised ever since, and progress towards the 2020 target, under successive Administrations at Scottish and UK levels, has not always been consistent with Governments’ aspirations. There is a cross-party consensus, however, around the necessity of poverty reduction and social inclusion. Sadly, the pressures of being a carer, raising a sick or disabled child, being ill or disabled oneself and raising a family, being affected by a bereavement, living in damp or poor housing, or experiencing multiple types of deprivation can leave people shut out or feeling left behind.
Here in the Scottish Parliament, we often debate the ways in which Government can make a material difference to families in that position, through taxation, welfare or public spending. There is also increasing recognition of the importance of early intervention and prevention. The evidence tells us that we can prevent illness and disadvantage in later life if we ensure that every child, no matter what their background, has a positive experience of childhood in a healthy and happy family. It is in that context that I stress the value of social tourism and the way in which holidays and leisure activities can bring families together.
Social tourism can act as a form of prevention for older people, too—helping them to socialise and to lead active lives, and minimising the risk of illness in our ageing society, which is placing demands on the national health service. The growth of social tourism in Europe compared with its low profile in the UK suggests that it is an area in which we have some way to go in developing an infrastructure and good practice.
Social tourism in the UK is largely supported by the voluntary sector, through a range of charities. I know that members across the Parliament all appreciate the work of those charities and the efforts of everyone who gives of their time and money to help to ensure that more families have the chance to enjoy a holiday together. For older people in many communities, churches and faith groups or other voluntary organisations can organise affordable outings and holidays, but they perhaps do not realise the true value of the experience.
We can learn valuable lessons from mainland Europe about how the voluntary sector interacts with the public and private sectors to give social tourism the status that it deserves. There is more that we can do to determine the financial impact of social tourism in terms of what it contributes to the economy and what it saves in public spending on front-line services and the NHS.
Opening up tourism to people who, due to their circumstances, cannot normally afford to travel and finance a holiday could create opportunities for the tourism trade in Scotland and abroad. Affordable out-of-season tourism might not be lucrative, but it could help hotels to fill empty rooms and it could boost footfall at visitor attractions during periods when visitor numbers are low. Not only would that help the industry; it could make a huge difference to the people concerned. It could improve their mental and physical wellbeing, it could strengthen family relationships and it could build happy memories through a positive shared experience.
I once again congratulate John Mason on bringing the debate to the chamber, which has allowed us to raise the profile of social tourism and to discuss how it benefits the most excluded people in society.
17:14
It was on 18 March 1999, just over 14 years ago in his Beveridge lecture, that Tony Blair committed the United Kingdom Government to eradicating child poverty by 2020. Government policy on child poverty has been debated and scrutinised ever since, and progress towards the 2020 target, under successive Administrations at Scottish and UK levels, has not always been consistent with Governments’ aspirations. There is a cross-party consensus, however, around the necessity of poverty reduction and social inclusion. Sadly, the pressures of being a carer, raising a sick or disabled child, being ill or disabled oneself and raising a family, being affected by a bereavement, living in damp or poor housing, or experiencing multiple types of deprivation can leave people shut out or feeling left behind.
Here in the Scottish Parliament, we often debate the ways in which Government can make a material difference to families in that position, through taxation, welfare or public spending. There is also increasing recognition of the importance of early intervention and prevention. The evidence tells us that we can prevent illness and disadvantage in later life if we ensure that every child, no matter what their background, has a positive experience of childhood in a healthy and happy family. It is in that context that I stress the value of social tourism and the way in which holidays and leisure activities can bring families together.
Social tourism can act as a form of prevention for older people, too—helping them to socialise and to lead active lives, and minimising the risk of illness in our ageing society, which is placing demands on the national health service. The growth of social tourism in Europe compared with its low profile in the UK suggests that it is an area in which we have some way to go in developing an infrastructure and good practice.
Social tourism in the UK is largely supported by the voluntary sector, through a range of charities. I know that members across the Parliament all appreciate the work of those charities and the efforts of everyone who gives of their time and money to help to ensure that more families have the chance to enjoy a holiday together. For older people in many communities, churches and faith groups or other voluntary organisations can organise affordable outings and holidays, but they perhaps do not realise the true value of the experience.
We can learn valuable lessons from mainland Europe about how the voluntary sector interacts with the public and private sectors to give social tourism the status that it deserves. There is more that we can do to determine the financial impact of social tourism in terms of what it contributes to the economy and what it saves in public spending on front-line services and the NHS.
Opening up tourism to people who, due to their circumstances, cannot normally afford to travel and finance a holiday could create opportunities for the tourism trade in Scotland and abroad. Affordable out-of-season tourism might not be lucrative, but it could help hotels to fill empty rooms and it could boost footfall at visitor attractions during periods when visitor numbers are low. Not only would that help the industry; it could make a huge difference to the people concerned. It could improve their mental and physical wellbeing, it could strengthen family relationships and it could build happy memories through a positive shared experience.
I once again congratulate John Mason on bringing the debate to the chamber, which has allowed us to raise the profile of social tourism and to discuss how it benefits the most excluded people in society.
17:14
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-05625, in the name of John Mason, on social tourism. The debate will be concluded with...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
One or two members suggested that I should move my seat because I was sitting in the sunshine, but—surprise, surprise—it has gone.We are talking about touris...
Margaret McCulloch (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate John Mason on securing the debate and bringing the topic of social tourism to the chamber.It was on 18 March 1999, just over 14 years ago in h...
Nigel Don (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP)
SNP
Saying how grateful we are that a member has brought forward a subject for a member’s business debate can be something of a formality in this place, but I am...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I thank John Mason for bringing the debate to the chamber and the issue of social tourism to the attention of a much wider audience. I am not aware of any de...
Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I thank John Mason for securing the debate. As my good friend Mary Scanlon has already said, it is a first for the Scottish Parliament.Social tourism can mea...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
I am not a late convert, but a late addition to the debate. I had said that I would listen to the debate, but I was so moved by the evidence at the meeting e...
The Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism (Fergus Ewing)
SNP
I begin by thanking John Mason, as all other members have done this evening, for introducing this important topic to the Scottish Parliament. To wait 14 year...