Characteristics Of Volunteer Tourism

Volunteer Tourism Volunteer tourism is an increasingly popular form of tourism. This market has roughly 1.6 million participants a year and an estimated market value of 1.7-2.6 billion dollars (Higgins-Desbiolles, 2006). This style of tourism, also called alternative tourism, small scale tourism or altruistic tourism has become popular due to its positive effects and values each individual/volunteer has identified personally (Raymond, & Hall, 2008). Volunteer tourism is a combination of travel, recreation and leisure time (Raymond & Hall 2008). It is often person-orientated, community led and pursues benefits to hosts, cultures and social environments (Lyons and Wearing 2008). Volunteer tourist are often differentiated from mass tourist because

(Brown, 2005). concluded that there are four motivations towards volunteer tourism: cultural immersion, making a difference, seeking friendships or sociality and family bonding. Similarly, Seibert and Benson (2009) found four main intrinsic motives within the volunteer tourist: to experience something different/new, to learn about another country and culture, to live in another country, and to broaden one’s mind. These two studies capture the importance the individual’s values and the values lead to the motives. Lyons, Wearing, & Benson, (2009), discover the majority of volunteer participants (ages 16-25) often have the motivation to volunteer in sakes of gaining a better or unbiased prospective on the world, to help society and others, participate in adventure, receive a gap between work or school, socialize with new people, gain skills and knowledge to build resume and gain a job (1). Wearing, (2002) explains there are two main reason for people wanting to volunteer in a new destination: for self-development or for an escape. Participants whom have volunteered for self-development purposes are optimistic travelers, according to Wearing, (2002). Those whom travel to escaper the realities of life are pessimistic travelers. Bailey and Russel, (2010) have

The experience has raises awareness for that individual, allowed that individual to become involved in civic duties where they reside, and the individual now influences other to help less fortunate causes. Bailey and Russel have also concluded that post-volunteer participants have impacts on their openness and civic outlooks or opinions. Research shows participants are socially comfortable in many more settings then they prior were. The volunteers are likely to return home with a different view on trust, art and confidence within themselves (Zahara and Mclntoch 2007). Many volunteer tourisms have reported their experience was life changing or “epiphany.” Results show not every transition of effect is a positive one. Their research show volunteers enter their home county can be a very difficult transition. Post-participants reported a “stuck” feeling between the culture and norms of the host country and their residing county or culture. Many reported feelings of isolation and difficulties once returned to their home.

In conclusion, volunteer tourism is on the rise due to its many different motives. Each individual has different values and motives, but the general motives are: helping others, immersing into new cultures, places and unbiased thoughts, to meet people and self-improvement such as: communication, skills and a better resume. The volunteers hold the majority identity