'Make a difference!': the role of sending organizations in volunteer tourism.

Abstract

This chapter explores the role that sending organizations play in developing and maintaining volunteer tourism programmes (VTPs) that benefit both the volunteer tourists and the host organizations. Two case studies are presented: the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) and the International Student Volunteers (ISV), and more specifically the FSD internship programme in La Plata, Argentina and the ISV programme run through Kuaka in New Zealand. These case studies were selected to represent two very different styles of VTP: individual placements and group projects. The key conclusion drawn is that neither placements nor projects should be assumed as automatically benefiting both the volunteer and the hosts. While this research was exploratory, it highlights the need for sending organizations to develop and manage their programmes both deliberately and carefully.

A study to examine the role of environmental motivation and sensation seeking personality to predict behavioral intention in volunteer tourism

“…Respondents were asked their opinion about the following definition of the concept of VT: Volunteer tourism is a combination of volunteer and tourism activities at a travel destination. This often requires a participant to pay some or all costs involved, such as transport, accommodation, meals, and possibly some financial contribution to the actual project (Broad & Jenkins, 2008;Hobbs, 2007;Raymond, 2008;Tourism Research and Marketing, 2008;Wearing, 2001). Seven-option bipolar semantic scales from Han, Lee, and Lee (2011) were provided.…”

An examination of not-for-profit volunteer tourism sending organisations' guiding considerations that influence volunteer tourism programmes

“…The findings further indicate that the priorities of not-for-profit sending organisations are predominantly outward-facing, with external factors acting as strong guidance for programs, such as a focus on the needs of the host community and the needs of participants as opposed to the pursuit of own organisational goals. The emphasis on the needs of the host community as one of the main guiding considerations partly counters previous criticism of sending organisations as prioritising tourists over host community needs (Frean, 2006;Raymond, 2008).…”

“…Volunteer tourism has further been subjected to criticism with the suggestion that some programs do not always epitomise a mutually beneficial form of tourism, with benefits being heavily skewed towards the tourist at the expense of host community needs (Raymond, 2008). In addition, there has been debate as to what combination and proportion of activities qualifies as part of a dedicated program.…”

“…Thirdly, a good sending organisation views programs as a continuing process for the participant and not an isolated experience. This requires their full involvement from pre-departure preparation, in-country orientation upon arrival, post-experience debriefs and support for returning volunteer tourists to cope with reverse culture shock (Raymond, 2008). Lastly, to ensure that participants understand the trip purpose and to emphasise the role of each individual, sending organisations clearly define the functions and responsibilities of each participant in relation to the program.…”

“…With respect to the host community, the responsibilities of sending organisations include building ties with local communities to understand their development needs, designing programs with these needs in mind and marketing programs such that there will be sufficient manpower for them (Raymond, 2008). Sending organisations' responsibilities to volunteer tourists may include arranging for logistical movement of resources required for programs, pre-departure briefings to establish roles and responsibilities as well as post-trip acclimatisation back to their home countries.…”