This paper reports the empirical findings of a qualitative study undertaken to investigate factors which may inhibit tourism participation for young people experiencing problems related to cancer. Participation in leisure activities has long been recognised as playing an important role in the personal development of young people, contributing to identity and self-concept. Holiday-taking represents one expression of leisure participation yet is not an activity universally enjoyed. Socio-economic factors are commonly recognised as inhibiting full participation. The contribution of ill health has been less so considered.
To address this, 25 informants, accessed through the Young Oncology Unit (YOU) at Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK, a specialist cancer hospital covering the northwest of England, were questioned about the key barriers inhibiting travel postdiagnosis. Key barriers identified included fear of being unable to cope on holiday, a lack of confidence and self-belief. Such barriers were found to be consistent with the intrinsic, environmental and interactive barriers identified in Smith's (Ann. Tourism Res. 14 (1987) 376) earlier study of disabled tourists. The paper concludes by considering the implications the research poses for the Tourism Industry.