Volunteer Tourism and Intercultural Sensitivity: The Role of Interaction with Host Communities

Abstract

This research introduced the concept of intercultural sensitivity to investigate the relationships between the context of volunteer tourism and the change in intercultural sensitivity, empirically assessing the supposition that volunteer tourism facilitates cross-cultural understanding. As a theoretical backdrop, the study utilized Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) postulating that one's journey towards greater intercultural sensitivity consists of six consecutive stages along the enthnocentrism-ethnorelativism continuum. Canonical correlation analysis of the survey data revealed that quality of interaction with the host community was the most significant predictor of change in intercultural sensitivity. Additionally, this study demonstrated that volunteer tourism is linked to positive and negative changes in intercultural sensitivity and therefore has the potential to simultaneously promote and inhibit cross-cultural understanding.

Tourist typology in social contact: An addition to existing theories

“…This study sheds light on the relational exploration between social contact and tourists' attitude towards destinations. Besides Cohen's (1972) theory, a developmental model of intercultural sensitivity (Kirillova et al, 2015), acculturation theory (Rasmi et al, 2014), social exchange theory (Ap, 1992;Choo & Petrick, 2014;Madrigal, 1993) and social representation theory (Andriotis & Vaughan, 2003) were also adopted to investigate the tourist-host social contact from diverse perspectives.…”

“…According to Cohen's (1972) argument, the "extent" and "variety" of social contact between tourists and hosts can greatly determine the degree to which and the way both groups affect each other ( Figure 1, Module 1). Based on the literature, as shown in Figure 1, Module 2, the "extent" of social contact can be explained by purposes of social contact, the determinants of contact extent, and the intensity of social contact (Kirillova et al, 2015;Huang & Hsu, 2010). "Variety" of social contact can be represented by contact activities between tourists and hosts (Rothman, 1978;Berscheid et al, 1989;Huang & Hsu, 2010).…”

“…Such kinds of contact were stated to have the power to influence tourists' travel attitudes, behavior and long-term perceptions toward the destination (Allport, 1954;Cohen, 1972). Intergroup contact can enhance the understanding of other groups, undermine bias and stereotypes, and further improve the intergroup relations (Allport, 1954;Pettigrew, 1998;Kawakami et al, 2000;Binder et al, 2009;Kirillova, Lehto, & Cai, 2015). Intergroup contact may reduce anxiety, distrust and cultural sensitivity toward other groups (Stephan & Stephan, 1985;Dovidio et al, 2002) and enhance the empathy between them in order to positively affect the intergroup relations (Baston et al, 1997;Stephan & Finlay, 1999).…”

Voluntourism for Preserving Heritage: An Initiative for Safeguarding and Developing New Gourna in Egypt

“…Some advantages of voluntourism include: satisfying altruism and constructing self-identity on behalf of the volunteer tourist and achieving his demand for authenticity, community interaction and intellectual experience. In addition, it can play a valuable role in the development of communities, environmental and heritage conservation, especially, in under-developed areas and when vital projects are challenged with few or lack of resources (Brown, 2005a;Guttentag, 2009;Kirillova, et al, 2015;Ong et al, 2014;Somphet , 2013;Wearing, 2005;Weaver, 2015 ).…”

“…Currently, there is a substantial amount of researches offering sufficient information about voluntourism, its advantages and disadvantages, volunteer tourist motivations, the role of voluntourism in the development of different communities and the relationship between volunteer tourists and the host community (Brown, 2005a;Guttentag, 2009;Kirillova, Lehto, & Cai, 2015;Ong et al, 2014;Somphet , 2013;Wearing, 2005;Weaver, 2015;Lupoli, Morse, Bailey & Schelhas, 2015) however, none of these researches proposed the utilization of volunteer tourism as means for sustainable tourism and proactive planning.…”