Actors of social tourism

Governments

The involvement of governments in social tourism activities varies greatly for historical, ideological and social reasons. In some countries, the government, whether national, regional or local, provides significant financial aid. These funds are often aimed at various groups: young people, senior citizens, people with disabilities, underprivileged people, etc. Governments are currently taking steps to go beyond the national limits of their social tourism programmes with various types of transnational exchanges.
 
Employers

It is important to note that there are initiatives such as "holiday vouchers", whereby employers contribute financially to help facilitate holidays for their staff. Furthermore, as mentioned, it should be borne in mind that social tourism is a major economic activity with great potential and, as such, attracts entrepreneurs from the tourism sector who see it as a means to boost their activities as service providers or intermediaries.
 
Workers

Ever since social tourism first emerged, trade unions, as the bodies which defend workers' rights, have had a strong presence in tourism, as a means of obtaining benefits for their members. This presence is illustrated through support for physical infrastructure, holiday complexes, guest houses, etc. and for specialised services. Experiences and commitment levels vary from country to country, but in almost all European countries there is some kind of social tourism activity stemming from trade unions.
 
Specialised associations

These associations include the consumer cooperatives that in certain countries have extensive networks of agencies organising social tourism, together with the youth and environmental organisations operating in this field, and the associations belonging to the social tourism bodies themselves, such as OITS, which carries out important support, coordination and promotion work.