Voluntourism: Give a Little, Gain a Lot
This study was conducted by Merriah Michel, Dan Miller and Stephen Cheung of Georgian College Research Analyst Program, in partnership with TIES, Planeterra and Gap Adventures.
"Voluntourism is the practice of individuals going on a non-paid working holiday for the purpose of volunteering themselves to worthy causes. The industry has experienced enormous growth in the number of companies operating, volunteers travelling and projects and regions available."
Download: Voluntourism - Give a Little, Gain a Lot (1 mb)
Download: Appendices (3 mb)
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Voluntourism Partner - Planeterra Foundation
 TIES is partnering with Planeterra Foundation to collaborate on a number of initiatives to educate and engage travelers in voluntourism activities that give back to destinations, contribute to the sustainable development of communities, and provide unique opportunities to make personal connections with the local people. Planeterra was founded in 2003 by Gap Adventures, the largest independent adventure travel company in the world. Planeterra evolved out of a long history of travelers committed to finding ways to give back to the people and places they visit.
"Voluntourism is Planeterra's specialty. We believe it is an important part of making tourism more sustainable, that it provides travellers and communities a way to connect, to learn, to appreciate each other's cultures, and work towards a better future. Our Voluntours provide opportunities for travelers to engage in community projects that are working on health, education, conservation and small business opportunities around the world." - Planeterra, What is Voluntourism?
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Opportunities for greater interaction with local communities
We define voluntourism as travel experiences that provide the opportunity to contribute to local community projects and development initiatives with some time off to visit the highlights of that particular destination or country. It's essential that we consider the impacts these trips can have to ensure there are benefits for local people and their environments. Planeterra Foundation: thoughts on voluntourism (Your Travel Choice Blog)
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Enjoy Costa Rica and contribute to sea turtle conservation!
Travelers participating in the Project Costa Rica voluntour trip can help the sea turtle conservation efforts by carrying out beach patrols, monitoring of the baby turtles, general infrastructure maintenance, data collection, beach clean-ups, as well as counting baby turtles and releasing them. Planeterra's voluntourism and sea turtle conservation program (Your Travel Choice Blog)
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Planettera Projects: Sustainable Change through Voluntourism
Through local organizations, international charities, and travel industry partners, Planeterra has developed a network of 30+ community projects around the world that focus on health, education, community development, micro-enterprise, conservation and employment skills training. Learn more about Planeterra's voluntourism projects: Voluntourism Partner
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Contribute Your Time & Talent
You don't need to be affluent, or be able to afford months of free time, to be part of something meaningful and rewarding that helps empower local people, support communities, and enhance skills, capacity and knowledge through travel.
Here are some links and resources to help you get started on your voluntourism search:
• Read more about voluntourism: Ecotourism Resources
• Voluntourism vacations with TIES members: Ecotourism Explorer
• Find volunteer opportunities: Ecotourism Job Board
• Featured voluntourism programs: Volunteer in ecoDestinations
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Is Voluntourism for You?
As you travel the world, encounter new cultures and gain memorable experiences, consider volnteering some of your time and talent, and adding a unique voluntouring stay to your itinerary the next time you travel!
"Voluntourism ... recognizes the importance of two key factors: balance and reciprocity. A balanced engagement alternating between voluntary service and tourism activities allows for a reciprocal relationship with communities." - David Clemmons, Founder, Voluntourism.org
>> Voluntourism trips with TIES members: Ecotourism Explorer
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The Power of Giving Back
Participating in voluntourism activities is a great way to enjoy unique travel experiences, and to enrich your trip with authentic and rewarding memories. You can make a difference in the lives of the local people!
"Voluntourism is ... a wonderful opportunity to develop meaningful contact with people, bridging the cultural gap between 'us' and 'them and to bringing us closer to a global 'we'." - Jason Rolan, Voluntourism Director, North by North East Travel Services (Thailand/Lao PDR)
>> Read, share & discuss: Your Travel Choice Blog
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