Innovation in Tourism from a Welfare State Perspective

Abstract

When ‘welfare’ and ‘tourism’ are mentioned together, paid holidays most often come to mind. Subsidised facilities for the less advantaged, can also be considered as core welfare ideology of the 20th century. From a broader perspective, however, welfare ideologies also have very complex indirect impacts on tourism. This paper addresses the influence of the welfare state, the impact welfare state interventions have had, and still have, and further implications in terms of product and service innovations. The Danish Labour Market Holiday Foundation has enforced innovations. Ever since it was established, the Foundation has set new standards in the Danish tourism sector. Its impact during the first phase included architectural and landscaping achievements, and it has helped in the development of new (edutainment) tourism attractions. The foundation was continually influential due to the rather plentiful resources, and because of close links with key actors in government, unions and employers' organisations. Co‐operation with commercial tourism was, however, limited. In recent years, the ideologies have been challenged dramatically. There is no longer such a good fit between the needs for accumulation and legitimation. Only an international approach to the idea of social tourism can re‐establish the formerly so favourable innovative trajectories.