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Tour operators turn to marketing ‘volunteer tourism’
A tourist takes pictures of birds in Maasai Mara game reserve. Just like business travel, the volunteer spends a few days from work sightseeing. Photo/FILE
Posted Friday, October 23 2009 at 00:00
In 2008, during his gap year, Prince Harry opted to spend his time enjoying the beauty of Namibia as he taught in local schools.
It is a balanced approach that combines voluntary service to a destination with the traditional elements of travel and tourism — arts, culture, geography, history and recreation.
Chosen cause
Most volunteer tourism programmes are noble but as with any travel trend, plenty of opportunists have jumped on to the gravy train.
So, double check the credentials of the organisation and ask questions to gauge the depth of its commitment to its chosen cause. Or you could be taken for a ride.
It is also advisable to book such a holiday with a reputable company.
However, this kind of tourism has drawn sharp criticism from some quarters who say the move by tour operators to cater for the needs of volunteers beats the purpose of the trips.
Anyway, volunteer tourists have many options before them.
They can choose to stay within the borders of a host country and camp out or stay in a five star hotel, or travel beyond the country.
The real considerations in “voluntourism” trips is usually not measured in financial terms but in the contribution one makes to others or the environment.
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