Voluntourism
Voluntourism, a blend of volunteering and tourism, is designed to offer participants a unique experience by combining community service with the adventure of international travel and cultural exchange. The modern concept is often promoted as a powerful tool for personal and community growth, providing opportunities to learn, contribute, and connect with people from different backgrounds.
The idea behind voluntourism is that it offers a "mutual exchange" with "mutual benefits." Volunteers are expected to gain valuable insights, develop a deeper understanding of global issues, and transform their perspectives while contributing positively to the communities they visit. In theory, host communities benefit from the skills, labour, and resources that volunteers bring, along with the cultural exchange that fosters greater global understanding.
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However, while the intentions behind voluntourism are often noble, the reality can be more complex, leading to a range of moral dilemmas and unintended consequences that need careful consideration.
Different Volunteer Travel Opportunites
Orphanage and Slum Tourism
Working within orphanages and slums
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Construction Tourism
Painting schools, building constructions
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Teaching Tourism
Teaching English and other basic classes in schools
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Animal and Environment Tourism
Working with animal and other conservation-focused activities
The voluntourism industry is estimated to be worth $2.6 billion (USD) annually (as of 2019).
Over 10 million people go abroad each year for leisure purposes. It is becoming increasingly popular for people to enhance their travels with altruistic work. It is estimated that 1.6 million people volunteer abroad annually.​
Statistics provided by: Save The Children www.savethechildren.org.au
Voluntourism does not often involve sustainable long-term solutions. But instead, focus on band-aid, solutions through short-term projects. Volunteers are frequently unskilled and as a result, do not have constructive services to contribute.
Volunteer programs have the potential to take jobs from local community members and local businesses. Subsequently, also undermining the capabilities of local people. Volunteer companies are often profit-driven and unregulated, allowing for exploitation to easily occur.
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Orphanage Tourism is among the most popular choices for people volunteering internationally. In the past ten years, Orphanage tourism has more than doubled in Cambodia alone (75% rise).
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Within Nepal, 90% of all orphanages are located around Kathmandu; the nation's most popular tourist destination.
An estimated 8 million children are living in orphanages worldwide.
Within Cambodia, 80% of adolescents who live in orphanages have at least one living parent.
In many other countries around the world, the statistics are estimated to be even higher:​
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85% in Nepal
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90% in Uganda
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95% in Sri Lanka
Statistics provided by: Ayana Journeys, www.ayanajourneys.com
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The Cambodian Children's Trust estimates that children raised in institutions are:
10x
More likely to be involved in prostitution
40x
More likely to have a criminal record
500x
More likely to take their own life
Other potential consequences for children living in institutionalised care:
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Trauma through abandonment, abuse and neglect
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The potential for the loss of culture
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Developmental issues
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The potential loss of identity
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Lack of education
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Inability to integrate into society
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Fragmented relationships
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Normalisation of abuse
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Vulnerability to trafficking, resulting in further and ongoing abuse
If you cannot adequately answer all of the above questions before your volunteer trip, then it is a clear sign that your impact will have detrimental consequences.
Organisations to Explore For Further Information
Learning From Our Mistakes
Nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes.
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But the most important thing from these mistakes is to learn from each experience and better ourselves as a result.
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Click below to follow Georgia's journey to development and the mistakes she made along the way.​ After all, when we know better, we can do better; so here we are!
