Policy decisions and tourism: unintended consequences or deliberate neglect – reactions to the ban on term time holidays in the UK’s South West

Abstract

This study explores reactions of the tourism industry in the UK’s South West to a change in regulations governing term time leave. It serves as an example of the impact of non-tourism specific policy making on tourism. Data were collected from 260 tourism firms via an online survey. Findings confirm a largely negative response to the change in regulations. The study illustrates divergent reactions to the regulations within one stakeholder group, here the tourism sector and by implication highlights the limitations of a naïve application of stakeholder theory. The study also offers insights into the nature of resilience within the sector. Avenues for further research are offered