Challenges and opportunities for development of social tourism in Finland.

Abstract

Abstract This chapter presents a case study concerning the practices of social tourism in Finland, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities for development. Representatives of four social tourism associations and the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA) were interviewed, and their perceptions of the major challenges and opportunities for the future development investigated. Also, the interviewees' opinions of the stimulus model/host-related social tourism, as well as some alternative forms of social tourism implementation that have not been adopted in the Finnish system, were surveyed. The understanding gained can create a basis for, for instance, academic and sociopolitical discussions, further social tourism analysis, and future development and cooperation inside the operational field.