Articles
Trend Watch: Volunteer Vacations
December 02, 2009 04:42PM
For many professionals, a vacation is a welcome, and often much-needed, break from the stress of work. Yet, a growing number of people are choosing to forego a relaxing getaway in lieu of spending their precious down time helping faraway communities in need. This growing trend, known as ‘volunteer vacations’ or ‘voluntourism’, refers to a wide range of travel options – from helping to protect habitats in Australia to trail building on the Appalachian Trail in the Eastern United States.
Voluntourism is an attractive option for many travelers as it provides the chance to aid those in need while exploring new places they might not otherwise encounter. Many American colleges have been providing just such opportunities for years now, offering “alternative spring breaks” and other service trips during school holidays. My hometown of New Orleans has been on the receiving end of this kind of travel altruism since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the town in 2005. People from around the world have generously helped rebuild the city, and in turn have (hopefully) experienced the warmth, creativity, and general (and personally much beloved) eccentricity of New Orleans.
Despite the community service involved, volunteer trips still cost participants and can vary widely in terms of price. Typically, these trips do not include airfare and the actual program fee can range from as little as $50 to as much as thousands of dollars. Cheaper options might offer basic accommodations, such as tents, while ones with higher fees generally offer additional amenities and services, including pre-trip planning materials, meals, and an on-site volunteer coordinator. Certain programs with higher fees also donate a portion of the fee to the community being served on the trip.
A wide range of voluntourism options have sprung up with this growing trend. Many trips offer opportunities to both volunteer as well as see the sights – a great option for conscientious travelers who are still interested in visiting a locale’s top attractions. This 12-day trip to India from Relief Workers International, for example, features plenty of community service projects in addition to sightseeing excursions. If you’re interested in this type of experience, click here for a list of options.
While many voluntourism organizations provide top-notch opportunities, there are some that have been criticized for exploiting communities in order to cater to the volunteer. Be sure to carefully research any tour supplier before booking a volunteer trip.
Don’t have any more vacation days left this year but still want to help a community in need? charity: water, a great organization that provides clean drinking water to people in need, is selling Christmas gifts to support their projects.
