Volunteer Vacations, Voluntourism

Articles and excerpts on this topic:

• Cruise West Spotlights "Voluntourism" (2007)
• Give Back Through Voluntourism by Tasha Carvell, Epic (2007)
• Intro to Voluntourism by David Clemmons for Eons
• Katrina 'Voluntourists' Make Labor a Vacation by Larry Copeland, USA TODAY (2007)
• The Rise of Responsible Tourism – 10 Voluntourism Trips by Aaron Dalton, Forbes Traveler (2007)
• Voluntourism – a whole new dimension to the travel experience in Jordan from the Jordan Times, December 20, 2006
• 'Voluntourism' becomes popular: Vacations with humanitarian focus can be satisfying by Dave Carpenter, Deseret Morning News, April 8, 2007
• Voluntourism Industry Unethical? by Rob Meyer on GoBudgetTravel (2007)

Scroll down to see reader responses and other links to creating your own volunteer vacation.

• “Voluntourism” on the Rise from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (2007)
• Voluntourism Trips for Do-Gooders by Aaron Dalton, Forbes Traveler (2007)
• Voluntourism: Vacationers go the extra mile to do good by Kimi Yoshino, Los Angeles Times, March 7, 2007
• Voluntourism:  Vacations with a Purpose by David Bernstein, Satisfaction Magazine (2005)

Web sites with useful information on this topic:

Earth Watch
http://www.earthwatch.org
The venerable organization that started it all in 1971, still sends volunteers around the world to support scientific research teams.

Go Differently

http://www.godifferently.com/

A site for "responsible travel, ethical holidays, and ecotourism" with special sections for volunteering and voluntourism.

International Volunteer Programs Association
http://www.volunteerinternational.org/
An alliance of non-governmental organizations involved in international volunteer work and internship exchanges.

Social Treks
http://www.socialtreks.com/
Socialtours.com is “dedicated to the creation and demonstration of a new corporate concept of linked prosperity,” and “a global community supporting social development through tourism.”

Take Me to Volunteer Travel
http://takemetovolunteertravel.com/
Volunteer travel agency specializing in Asian countries.

Travel for Good

http://dest.travelocity.com/Promotions/0,,TRAVELOCITY
|3702|vacations_main,00.html
Travelocity’s site for travelers seeking socially responsible alternatives.

Travelistic Videos for Travelers:  Voluntourism

http://www.travelistic.com/video/tag/voluntourism

List of blogs and videos posted by voluntourists.

Volunteer Vacations from Global Vision International http://www.gviusa.com/pages/volunteervacations.asp
Wide variety of options and prices.

VolunTourism

http://voluntourism.org/

VolunTourism is the integrated combination of voluntary service to a destination with the traditional elements of travel and tourism - arts, culture, geography, history, and recreation - while in the destination.  This site explains it all.

Voluntourism: Doing the Right Thing With the Right Company http://www.voluntourism.co.uk/
A portal featuring “tour operators who can demonstrate their commitment to best practice and safety management systems that protect both their clients and the communities they support.”

Voluntourism in Jordan
http://www.seejordan.org/voluntourism/
Presentation by the Jordan Tourism Board North America.

Yomps

http://www.yomps.co.uk/

British site for volunteers seeking a gap year abroad, career break or adventure overseas travel experience.

 

Relevant Hot Topic Essays :

• Voluntourism – Pros, Cons, and Possibilities - Feb '07

 

2/14/08

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