The Voluntourist’s Dilemma - The New York Times

The Voluntourist’s Dilemma - The New York Times: "They were there to build a school alongside a Methodist church. Muscular Haitian masons stood by watching, perplexed and a bit amused at the sight of men and women who had come all the way from the United States to do a mundane construction job.

Such people were a familiar sight: They were voluntourists. They would come for a week or two for a “project” — a temporary medical clinic, an orphanage visit or a school construction. A 2008 study surveyed 300 organizations that market to would-be voluntourists and estimated that 1.6 million people volunteer on vacation, spending around $2 billion annually. "



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Travelocity Launches Program Promoting 'Voluntourism' | TravelPulse

Travelocity Launches Program Promoting 'Voluntourism' | TravelPulse: "Travelocity announced Monday that it has re-launched its “Travel for Good” grant program to accommodate the growing desire to travel for philanthropic purposes. As part of a contest, three deserving individuals will receive a $20,000 trip for two to the destination of their choice. On top of that, Travelocity will make a $10,000 donation to each winner’s non-profit organization of choice. "



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New Carnival cruise brand devotes ship to volunteer trips - US News

Another approach to  Voluntourism



New Carnival cruise brand devotes ship to volunteer trips - US News: "Carnival Corp. announced a new concept in cruising Thursday: service trips where passengers sail to a destination in order to volunteer there."



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Gap years: Voluntourism – who are you helping? - Telegraph

Gap years: Voluntourism – who are you helping? - Telegraph: Gap years: Voluntourism – who are you helping?
If you’re looking for opportunities abroad, check your skills match and you will be helping, rather than hindering, says Rose Dykins

Balancing Philanthropic Travel and Voluntourism with Family Time | GuideStar Blog

Balancing Philanthropic Travel and Voluntourism with Family Time | GuideStar Blog: he tourism industry represents one of the largest service industries in the world, employing 102 million people around the globe in 2013, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, and generating $2.1 trillion in economic output in the U.S., claims the U.S. Travel Association.

Voluntourism: The perks and pitfalls � The Boar

Voluntourism: The perks and pitfalls � The Boar: Voluntourism is an increasingly popular form of travel which allows us to travel to exotic and culturally rich countries, whilst helping raise money for charity. While the idea of jetting off to such interesting places and exploring far off destinations is highly appealing and entices many of us into enrolling in voluntourism, there are many things that are not so appealing when you actually arrive on these charity adventures.

This summer, a group of Warwick RAG students set off to Peru and, although we had the time of our lives, there were some definite bumps in the road along our journey to the land of the Incas.

Perspective: ‘Voluntourism’ as a Powerful Learning Tool

Perspective: ‘Voluntourism’ as a Powerful Learning Tool: Voluntourism’ has gained popularity over recent years and has inspired many debates. Some question the effectiveness of sending volunteers overseas to do work people overseas are more than capable of doing.

Mother Teresa's work spurred growth of 'voluntourism' - Arts / Life - The Telegram

Mother Teresa's work spurred growth of 'voluntourism' - Arts / Life - The Telegram: "Mother Teresa may be remembered most today — her 100th birthday anniversary was Aug. 26 — for her lifelong work with the poor. But she also helped expand the modern notion of going on an overseas mission, encouraging ordinary people to take short breaks and volunteer on vacations."

You Can Give, Just Like The Philanthropist

You Can Give, Just Like The Philanthropist: "he new NBC show, The Philanthropist, appears to be a hit. Supposedly based on the actions of a real-life philanthropist, in the show businessman Teddy Rist has a life-shattering moment while on a trip, which leads him to discover helping others can bring him happiness. From that point his philanthropy begins."

Taking time to volunteer while on tour

Taking time to volunteer while on tour: "MEET a new breed of traveller called the voluntourist.

Charity organisations here are seeing more and more of the likes of Ms Goh Siang Hwee, a 25-year-old financial adviser who takes part in community improvement projects while visiting a country."

Volunteer vacations: More than just a great trip

Volunteer vacations: More than just a great trip: "When two friends and I decided to add the element of volunteering to a trip, we opened a cornucopia of opportunities.

Our research divulged you can do everything from pounding nails and painting buildings to counting turtles or extracting teeth, should you have that talent. You can head for, as examples, a tiny village in Sri Lanka, a summer camp in Poland or a schoolhouse in Thailand."

VolunTourism.org

VolunTourism.org: "VolunTourism Info

This section of the VolunTourism website is dedicated to explaining different aspects of VolunTourism and the VolunTourism Forum that does not appear in the FAQ section of the website. It includes the following information:

* An Overview of VolunTourism
* A Brief History of the VolunTourism Forum
* The Future of VolunTourism

As you read through the information below, you will no doubt have questions. Feel free to review the FAQ section of the website and if you cannot find the answer you seek, simply send us an email. We will follow up with an answer to your question, and, perhaps, add it to the FAQ's."

Tags: Volunteers