This comprehensive volume reflects recent shifts in social tourism research by focusing on target groups and the benefits or constraints of these groups in holiday participation. It was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events.

Anya Diekmann is Professor of Tourism at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium. Her research integrates aspects of social tourism in Belgium and Europe with a focus on social tourism systems and the benefits of tourism on well-being and social inclusion. Anya is co-ordinator of the Alliance for Research of ISTO (International Organisation of Social Tourism).

Scott McCabe is Professor of Marketing and Tourism, and Associate Dean for Research, at the Nottingham University Business School, UK. His research focuses on the qualities of tourist experience, consumer behaviour, and tourist decision-making. He is currently Editor-in-Chief (alongside Sara Dolnicar) of Annals of Tourism Research.

Carlos Cardoso Ferreira is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Tourism at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. His main research areas are tourism planning and development, ageing and old age mobilities, and social and inclusive tourism. He has authored several publications on tourism and ageing, tourism development and planning, and senior tourism.

1. Social tourism: research advances, but stasis in policy. Bridging the divide 2. Social tourism as a modest, yet sustainable, development strategy: policy recommendations for Greece 3. 'Not on my vacation': service encounters between able-bodied and disabled consumers - the case of high-contact service 4. The holiday-related predictors of wellbeing in seniors 5. Accessible tourism and its benefits for coping with stress 6. Accessible tourism experiences: the voice of people with visual disabilities 7. Social tourism & older people: the IMSERSO initiative