Benefits of Volunteer Tourism - Essay Example

?Running Head: Impact of Volunteer Tourism Impact of Volunteer Tourism [Institute’s Impact of Volunteer Tourism Introduction Volunteer tourism has its roots in the philosophy of “volunteerism”, which refers to individuals rendering their services not for material compensation, but for the desire to change the society for better. For a volunteer, the motivation and rewards are intrinsic. Therefore, volunteer tourists are individuals who, in an organised and planned manner, choose to tour countries, regions and communities, which require services of these volunteers. Since the 1980s, there has been a rapid increase in volunteer tourism and it has gone on to take several forms such as cultural tourism, alternative tourism, eco-tourism, charity tourism, moral tourism, responsible tourism, social tourism, serious leisure and others. As identified by Sin (2010), we live in a world of “heightened responsibilities”. At least in the developed world, people are being bombarded; from almost all directions that they need to show have to exhibit great environmental friendliness, moral responsibility, ethical consumerism, eco-friendliness and concern for less privileged members of the society. Corporate social responsibility, ethical marketing, social marketing, charities, cause related campaigns are a manifestation of the same. Volunteer tourism also falls under the same umbrella (Tourism Research and Marketing, 2008, p. 43). Researchers and experts have welcomed this idea with great deal of optimism and energy since it appears that such approach towards tourism can emerge as a much needed catalyst for social change. It can build bridges, foster intercultural relations, generate employment, help less privileged in the underdeveloped countries and set them towards the path of sustainability while providing satisfaction to the volunteers. Most of the projects undertaken by the volunteer tourists fall under the umbrella of building, community welfare, teaching, environmental regeneration, business, cultural development, environmental protection, healthcare, journalism, research and others. Countries that most hosted volunteer tourists include Kenya, India, Italy, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Ghana, Honduras and China. This paper, however, is an attempt to review and analyse the concept of volunteer tourism in a critical light. Discussion Tourism is a lucrative industry since it has the potential to contribute to the national output of the host country, generate employment and open doors of foreign exchange. One of the most significant advantages of volunteer tourism is that it directs this tourism money and its economic impact to more deserving and underdeveloped destinations that would not have received the same from other forms of mainstream tourism. Wearing (2001) acknowledges the fact that in the case of volunteer tourism, the host communities are on the receiving end, the volunteers also receive a significant degree of intercultural experience, personal satisfaction, self fulfilment and inner peace. Quite understandably, a volunteer tourist who is working alongside local communities is likely to have much more meaningful interactions with the local community as compared to a tourist who is residing in five star hotels and visiting only elite locations (p. 58). Such interactions are not only helpful in promoting intercultural relations, but at the same time, they also allow people from developed countries to understand the problems of people from developing countries and empathise with them. Guttentag (2009), in light of the overwhelming evidence, acknowledges the fact that over the past couple of decades, volunteer tourism has emerged as a promising mass niche market within the tourism industry, which has been hailed widely to benefit the host communities as well as the tourists. However, the author highlights the fact that widespread enthusiasm and optimism regarding volunteer tourism has translated into an uncritical approach towards volunteer tourism, which has resulted into a glowing and bright picture of volunteer tourism, whereas, there are some serious negative consequences of volunteer tourism, which deserve attention from the academic and research circles (p. 539). Wearing (2001) and Galley G, & Clifton (2004), amongst several other researchers highlight the fact that volunteer tourists are rarely motivated by purely altruistic desires but they are also self interested. However, the same does not raise any concerns to the point till volunteer tourism is generating benefits for the local communities. However, Guttentag (2009) argues that accommodating the needs and desires of volunteer tourists has become a concern because of the emergence of for-profit businesses and corporations entering to capture the greatest possible share of this lucrative market. Although, the NGOs and other not-for-profit organisations still constitute the majority market share of the volunteer tourism, the entry of several private businesses is shifting the focus of volunteer tourism from benefiting the local communities to satisfying the needs and demands of the tourists, which is against the essence of volunteer tourism (Tourism Research and Marketing, 2008, p. 85). Volunteer tourism can only generate results when the tourists are working under the umbrella of organisations, which are truly concerned about their environmental and ethical impact and organisations that are well aware of the problems and concerns of the local communities. Another set of criticism directed at volunteer tourism stems from their work progress and quality of work. As highlighted by Brown and Morrison (2003) that in most cases, most volunteer tourism projects do not pose any stringer skill set requirements on the tourists. In fact, the only skill that they seek is of the desire to help others. However, the question arises that how can unskilled and unqualified people help culturally different communities and that also for a short period (p. 75). Nevertheless, volunteer tourism organisations counter argue that several projects that they work on are long term projects and even if the volunteers stay for a short while, they end up making their share of the contribution. Simpson (2004) rightly points out the fact that in several cases, where the stay of volunteer tourists remains limited to a few weeks, significant amount of time and energy are required to provide them with the needed orientation and training. There are language barriers and it is natural for people to take their time when they try to adjust into alien settings. Additionally, in the absence of proper understanding of the cultural heritage of the host community, it is almost impossible for the tourist to form caring and mutually respectful relationships with the host communities. Furthermore, unlike formal work settings, there is no accountability or check and balance for these volunteers since it is unpaid work (p. 682). The same even translates into a subpar quality of the work from the volunteers. Such training and orientation is also imperative to eradicate the subconscious “us versus them” feeling in the hearts and minds of the volunteer tourists. Although, proponents of volunteer tourism do argue that they intend to create equal and caring relationships between the tourists and host communities, these relationships are being formed with their inequalities. Clifton & Benson (2006) also identify the fact that in several cases, the economic impact of volunteer tourism on host communities remains limited. In some cases, volunteer tourists might end up taking the jobs of regular full time workers, thus increasing unemployment and creating a culture of dependency, where the local communities would continue to seek volunteer tourists for those jobs, whenever they arise (p. 240). As mentioned earlier, that since many of the volunteer tourists do not possess an impressive set of skills, they end up performing jobs, which the locals could perform, and that with greater effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, it is also only logical that the presence and availability of free labour would naturally lead towards a cycle of dependency on volunteer tourists. In fact, in most cases, the tourists would not even be aware of the consequences of their actions since they would leave the community within a short span of time. However, their generous gifts might undermine the dignity of the local people. Even worse, they might take the volunteer tourism for granted and demand further favours and gifts from the tourists. There is no empirical evidence but there is strong theoretical evidence that volunteer tourism can lead to “demonstration effect” especially amongst the young children of host communities, which are most likely to maintain contact with volunteer tourists. Most of the volunteer tourists belong from developed countries and come from wealthy and affluent backgrounds, whereas, the people from the host communities are most likely to be living in abject poverty. Although, there might not be any harmful intent from the part of the tourists, the local communities may end up despising or abhorring the tourists for their material wealth of lifestyle. Alternatively, they might get impressed with the same and try to model those behaviours and lifestyle choices, but they would fail miserable because of the absence of similar wealth and resources. Conclusion Much of the existing literature available regarding volunteer tourism focuses extensively on the positive impacts of volunteer tourism and overlooks the possible negative consequences. Such an approach is harmful and undesirable. Nevertheless, many of these negative impacts can be mitigated with thorough and comprehensive planning of these projects. Furthermore, there is a lack of empirical research to examine and verify the impacts and consequences of volunteer tourism. One reason why the existing literature presents such a glowing and bright image of volunteer tourism is because it relies heavily on the immediate perceptions of volunteers and the information provided by the organising businesses and NGOs. There is a need to explore and analyse various dynamics of volunteer dynamics through the lens of host communities and conduct verifiable and generalisable empirical studies (Tourism Research and Marketing, 2008, p. 437). More importantly, in order to ensure that this does not become some form of aid, which reinforces the traditional hierarchical structures and systems, it is important that volunteer tourism of skilled and qualified people is promoted so that they could impart these skills and use them to make irreplaceable and unique contributions to those societies. Furthermore, they should receive extensive trainings to modify their thought processes and behaviour in such a way that they demonstrate the utmost respect for the local culture and they do not end up harming the dignity of locals or undermining their self respect. References Brown S, & Morrison A. 2003. Expanding volunteer vacation participation: an exploratory study on the mini-mission concept. Tourism Recreation Research, Volume 28(3), pp. 73–82. Clifton J, & Benson A. 2006. Planning for sustainable ecotourism: the case for research ecotourism in developing country destinations. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Volume 14(3), pp. 238–254. Galley G, & Clifton J. 2004. The motivational and demographic characteristics of research ecotourists, Operation Wallacea volunteers in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Journal of Ecotourism, Volume 3(1), pp. 69–82. Guttentag, D. A. 2009. The possible negative impacts of volunteer tourism. International Journal of Tourism Research, Volume 11(6), pp. 537-551. Simpson K. 2004. ‘Doing development’: the gap year, volunteer-tourists and a popular practice of development. Journal of International Development Volume 16, pp. 681–692. Sin, H. L. 2010. Who are we responsible to? Locals’ tales of volunteer tourism.  Geoforum, Volume 41(6), pp. 983-992. Tourism Research and Marketing. 2008. Volunteer Tourism: A Global Analysis. Atlas: Barcelona. Wearing, S. 2001. Volunteer Tourism: Experiences that Make a Difference. CABI Publishing: New York. Read More