Voluntourism: ‘Overpriced Guilt Trips’ or a ‘Real Chance to Save the World’?

Thanks for this post - the Time article is interesting. 

I writea blog about volunteering, so I suppose I shouldn’t present myself as totally neutral.  Regarding the Time article, I think, first of all, an either/or stance makes an interesting headline but often doesn’t present the realistic “answer” of “somewhere in between”.

I also think that criticism of voluntourism is extremely important - if those with a background in development, aid, non-profit management and so on dismiss it as not serious, its development is left mainly to those with an interest in promoting it.

However, I think if voluntourism is looked at as a stand-alone thing, an important part of the picture is ignored.  This is obviously a huge task, but I really think it is most effective to consider it in the context of other things like tourism (various kinds including organized tours), international aid and even long-term, larger volunteer projects like the Peace Corps (which are not always as perfect as many people automatically assume they are).

Just for the record - my comments here are mostly in response to the Time article - and not this World Hum post of course.  Thanks for pointing this article out as I wouldn’t have found it otherwise.

There are opportunities to make a real difference in this world and I recommend anyone interested in volunteering to do their research. There are hundreds of locally run organisations worldwide that do important work in the environmental and humanitarian sectors. Many of them could not exist without the financial imput of international volunteers. Most importantly, all the money you pay goes directly to the host organisation rather than an intermediary organisation (i.e. gap year companies, placement agencies). Volunteering abroad can be an ethical and rewarding experience but only if you make the right choices when choosing a project. If you are thinking of volunteering in Latin America have a look at http:www.volunteerlatinamerica.com. This organisation specialises in providing information about free and low cost grass roots projects.

Volunteer Travel has probably the highest raising ratio in travel world.
Large Companies are creating special ‘Responsible Travel’ compartments in their catalogues.
Hotels, Resorts, Tour operators all around the globe are now ‘turning green and community friendly’, with recycling programs, eco-projects and donating actions.
What is really missing in the whole picture is a global certification, as to target and erase merely business oriented initiatives, and to actually rate the real impact on local communities of the above cited programs.
Several local associations and organizations do promote authentic voluntourism projects and trips: for a mutual understanding between local populations and travelers, and most important for a real help to the economy of indigenous communities.
Traveling within these conditions might be a lifechanging experience;
If West Africa is your next destination, please take some time and visit the H.E.L.P. Travel Association’ website http://www.helptravel.org/eng/home_eng.html.
They offer an actual chance to discover ancient and preserved traditions and at the same time intervene in a specific Community Development Project amongst local populations.

Shouldn’t voluntourism be cheaper that regular tourism? This makes no sense..

Great article!
I founded Hands Up Holidays (http://www.handsupholidays.com) to make it easy for people to have amazing voluntourism experiences: trips which blend eco-sightseeing with a taste of volunteering.
We focus on small group and tailor-made adventures, and all of our volunteer projects have been designed so that you can make a positive impact in just 3-5 days. 
All our trips are carbon offset on your behalf.
All our trips will depart with just two people booking; and we can tailor-make a trip for your exact requirements!
Come and join us!
To respond to Scooter: volunteer trips can cost the same if you are using the same sort of accommodation as ‘regular holidays’ and can cost more if your trip price includes the costs of volunteering materials and the charity’s admin time, as well as a donation to the community (as do all of Hands Up Holidays’ trips).

Thanks for this interesting discussion.

We have seen a great deal of abuse in the name of volunteer tourism
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/tour/volunteer.html

While there may be best practices, I would argue that the target is always moving as communities invariably have different needs and most mainstream operators are unable to spend the time necessary to listen to what locals want.

What’s needed are more frank and open discussions of the ethics. Most trade conferences trot out the successes without adequate explanation of just how difficult it is to maintain the balance that provides a rewarding experience for visitor and local.

Mr. Mader actually pointed out one of the main topics of volunteer travel: Local Community needs.
In fact, operators should focus on real necessities of populations touched by their voluntourism initiatives; Unfortunately, most of their main offices and bureuax are located in Europe or US, separating them from the actual fields of intervention.
They often rely on third party informations, that are somehow difficult to monitor and throughly examine…
Volunteer travel involves two different subjects: visitors and visited;
they are strangers to each other and separated before the project, and should become fiends and united after the completing of the action.
Operators have to offer the chance to provide such opportunities.
One of the main issue is the actual need of the action itself; if local communities receive a true benefit, the satisfaction will be mutual, and the goal will be achieved.

Mr. Mader actually pointed out one of the main topics of volunteer travel: Local Community needs.
In fact, operators should focus on real necessities of populations touched by their voluntourism initiatives; Unfortunately, most of their main offices and bureuax are located in Europe or US, separating them from the actual fields of intervention.
They often rely on third party informations, that are somehow difficult to monitor and throughly examine…
Volunteer travel involves two different subjects: visitors and visited;
they are strangers to each other and separated before the project, and should become fiends and united after the completing of the action.
Operators have to offer the chance to provide such opportunities.
One of the main issue is the actual need of the action itself; if local communities receive a true benefit, the satisfaction will be mutual, and the goal will be achieved.
The H.E.L.P. Travel Organization provides all of the above cited conditions, according to the ethics of volunteer tourism:
. Increase the economic benefit to the local community
. Responding to their actual needs and necessities.
. Generate satisfaction and well-being within visitors and locals.
(available at http://www.helptravel.org)