Orphan Volunteer Tourism in Thailand: Volunteer Tourists’ Motivations And On-Site Experiences

Abstract

This study examines motivations and on-site experiences of volunteer tourists who participate in volunteer tourism at the Home and Life Orphanage in Phang Nga province, Thailand. An interpretive paradigm using qualitative data collection methods (semi-structured interviews, a focus group, participant observation, and diaries) was adopted. The informants included 24 volunteer tourists. The findings of the study suggest that the volunteer tourists' motivations and on-site experiences are multidimensional. Five main themes of motivations have been identified: (a) to help the children who were affected by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, (b) to gain personal development and growth, (c) to gain new experiences, (d) to learn about/be immersed in local culture, and (e) to meet and make friends. In terms of the volunteer tourists' onsite experiences, four experiential dimensions were found: (a) personal development and growth, (b) social, (c) cultural, and (d) feeling.

Finding oneself while discovering others: An existential perspective on volunteer tourism in Thailand

“…Though several authors have indicated that volunteer tourism in Thailand promotes, or is premised upon, such themes as camaraderie (Broad & Jenkins, 2008), intimacy (Mostafanezhad, 2014), selfconfidence (Proyrungroj, 2014), and sentimentality (Mostafanezhad, 2013a), few have explicitly framed these themes in the context of existential authenticity. Further, the data on which this paper is based indicates that despite the importance of various other motivations-including the acquisition of career skills, the desire to help others, and the need for novelty and adventure-and regardless of such factors as age, duration of participation, level of previous travel experience, and nationality, the most significant and frequently-cited reasons given by volunteers for choosing to participate in community service while visiting Thailand all relate to various dimensions of existential authenticity.…”

“…Although several studies indicate that family bonding is an important motivation for volunteer tourists (Lo & Lee, 2010;Mustonen, 2007;Proyrungroj, 2014), it did not factor heavily in the experiences of the volunteers interviewed in Thailand for this research. This is likely a consequence of the timing of this research, which did not coincide with extended school holiday periods in volunteer-sending countries in Europe and North America.…”

“…As Zahra and McIntosh (2007) argue, since many young international volunteer tourists are sheltered from material hardship at home, coming face-to-face with the suffering of others while abroad poses a great challenge and causes anxiety and discomfort. However, overcoming this challenge, not to mention the challenge of ''working in a foreign culture and climate, dealing with their emotions and working with others" (Broad, 2003, p. 68), allows volunteers to 'see what they are made of' (Schott, 2011) while also leading to greater self-confidence (Proyrungroj, 2014).…”

Urban Volunteer Tourism: Orphanages in Johannesburg

“…It is revealed that orphan volunteer tourism generates both positive and negative impacts. The financial benefits to the orphanage and the volunteer tourists as role models for children must be set against the exploitation of children for business purposes and concerns about the emotional and psychological health of young children (Proyrungroj 2014). Tomazos and Butler (2012) in a Mexican case study draw attention to the 'balancing act' of the positive and negative implications of committed volunteers.…”

Tourism and Leisure Mobilities

“…Tourism development within orphanages is illustrative of the burgeoning trend of tourism within development projects internationally Butler 2010, 2012;Reas 2013aReas , 2013bReas , 2015Proyrungroj 2014). Tourism development within orphanages is illustrative of the burgeoning trend of tourism within development projects internationally Butler 2010, 2012;Reas 2013aReas , 2013bReas , 2015Proyrungroj 2014).…”