Why and how should the international volunteer tourism experience be improved?

Abstract

Purpose -This paper gives an overview of the question 'why and how should the international volunteer tourism experience be improved?' and introduces the articles in this special issue.Approach -An ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) Festival of Social Science funded event, entitled 'Pursuing Quality in International Volunteering' was held at the University of Brighton in November 2013. This event brought together academics and practitioners in a successful debate, but it was also, however, recognised that this was the first step on a long journey. The articles are drawn from attendees both from the ESRC event and the wider international volunteer tourism network of academics and practitioners.Findings -This paper introduces the key stakeholders of international volunteer tourism and the extent to which their voices are prominent (or not) in respect of the issues of achieving quality. Further, the paper highlights a number of quality mechanisms that are offered as solutions to the challenges that currently beleaguer international volunteer tourism.Research limitations /implications -Whilst not all the key stakeholder voices are represented in this theme issue, the discussions and implications that are drawn out are of importance to all stakeholder groups.Originality/value -This is the first time a journal issue has focused on the challenges of achieving quality in respect of international volunteer tourism.