Some of it can be put at the door of the CAA change in approach that occurred several years ago after a pilot with a 'current' but unused for 18 months IMCR launched himself from the South Coast in crap weather heading for Scotland and flew into a mountain. As a result of this the CAA started to recommend the rating as a get you home rather than sustained instrument flight rating.
As far as needing an IR for serious touring is concerned I have to disagree. I have a JAA IR and a huge pile more hours than IO does and I tour extensively. We normally go as a group and the other aircraft are VFR only and we never have a problem. We are going to Sweden next week and Morocco in July. I will fly IFR as it is easier but not because it is 'required' for serious touring. The whole point of touring is the journey.
When flying for business it is a different matter and that is when having an IR comes into it's own.