Tourism Review Online Magazine - In Vogue: Volunteer Vacations

volunteer vacations are grow-ing in popularity all around the world. Explore the unique proj-ects organized for voluntourists in Ecuador and Peru, learn how to choose your tour operator, and what to expect from your trip.

In Vogue: Volunteer VacatIonsE T H I C A L

— 24 —

ETHICAL in vogue: volunteer vacations

June, 2011

Over the last decade, many of the cataclysmic events that have shaped our global aware-ness of the economic contribution of the travel industry to destinations have come as a result of its starkly-contrasted absence in the after-math of devastation. Think of New York follow-ing September 11th. Think of Southeast Asia following the tsunami. Think of New Orleans following Hurricane katrina. And think of China, Haiti, and Chile following the earthquakes.

Doubtless, in each of these destinations, the economic loss associated with declines in travel and tourism was significant. But, what was not immediately evident, yet has increas-ingly come to our attention during these past ten years, is the travel industry’s growing potential to be the delivery vehicle for direct, social impact that benefits destinations.

voluntourism, blending voluntary service and travel, has seen notable adoption among travelers and the industry alike since the turn of the millennium. Clearly, the travel industry, through voluntourism, is embarking on a new role, one with which it is not wholly familiar. This is not a reinvention, however; it repre-sents a realization.

Travel in the 21st Century demands experi-ential authenticity and, therefore, the inclu-sion of all elements of the destination – be they dark, light, or gray. Today’s travelers are seeking a personal encounter with the destina-

voluntourism And positive sociAl impAct

— 25 —


June, 2011

tion, its people and environment. Passivity is giving way to a requisite of active engagement; only then can a traveler begin to approach satisfaction. And today’s destinations – resi-dents and the environment – are demanding a travel industry that is engaged, supportive, and approaching sustainability with an enthusiasm that is equal to that of their own.

in this new role, the travel industry’s social impact can indeed be measured in the cus-tomary, quantitative manner; nevertheless, the qualitative measurement of such ‘intan-gibles’ as goodwill or a deepening of the rela-tionship between traveler and destination, poses a vast opportunity, one that has never been truly explored. it is this very exploration, into a realm of inspiration no less, which may prove to be the most exciting adventure for the travel industry thus far. How do we begin this process?

Certainly, any entity can adopt its own mea-surement guidelines and ‘accounting’ formulas for social impact. Some have already done so in annual reports on corporate social responsibil-ity and philanthropy. However, most of these reports speak specifically to the financial out-lay or in-kind support of philanthropic efforts or NgOs, or they may speak of the direct con-tributions of employees. With the introduction of travelers into this already-existing mix, not only do we have a new set of quantitative data to consistently measure and track, but we have an opportunity to share unique testimonials, photos, and videos demonstrating the net positive social benefit that can be generated through travel.

voluntourism is not a public relations cam-paign for the travel industry; rather, it is a public awareness-raising campaign designed to emphasize the consumer’s role in the advancement of the well-being of destina-tions. The long-term health and sustainability of destinations across the globe is enhanced by travel that unites social beneficence and net, economic benefit. The travel industry is best-

suited to play the role of delivery system and enable travelers to contribute, as effectively and efficiently as possible, to projects aligned with goals and objectives set forth by commu-nities on behalf of residents and/or the envi-ronment.

Projects will vary from destination to destina-tion. Some projects will focus on such things as food security, clean water, or micro-enterprise development. Others will conflict with our notions of sustainability: take the recent vol-untourist-led effort to build a community the-ater in Haiti on the outskirts of a tent city. Yet, it was exactly what residents wanted – a place where they can laugh or cry or dance or sing to Hollywood’s finest, and not so fine, creative expressions.

voluntourism represents the true hos-pitality and service that is inherently built into the DNA of the travel industry. All we are proposing to do through voluntourism is extrapolate the footprint of this hospi-tality and service, to extend to consumers the chance to have a reciprocal relationship with destinations. ultimately, voluntourism affords travelers an opportunity to trans-form what they receive in the form of art, culture, history, geography and recreation, into what they give back in honor of these priceless gifts.

By David Clemmons (Founder of VolunTourism.org)http://www.voluntourism.org

— 26 —


June, 2011

It is not hard to identify volunteer needs in developing countries such as Ecuador. How-ever, there is always a challenge in finding reliable in-country organizations with a track record of efficiently matching the willing vol-unteer with creative, reliable service proj-ects.

Better yet is to discover organizations that make all living and working arrangements, and shepherd volunteers through their chosen experience (including any crisis!) from arrival to departure. i was fortunate to discover quito-based LEAD Adventures (lead-adven-tures.com) whose dedicated staff carries out these services year round with a creative menu of well-researched options on the country's mainland and in the galapagos islands.

Launched in 2004 by Ecuadorian Enrique Torres, following years of university study and investment banking work in the u.S., the com-pany has made arrangements for over 2,000 participants in conservation, social service, sports development and education.

Best of all, the LEAD team understands the needs and interests of adult participants, offer-ing alternatives and customization to what they call their "grown up" clients, 35 and older. While the majority of clients are still in their teens and 20s, LEAD reports a rapidly growing clientele of adult travelers and family groups

for certain projects. it also pays a commission for travel agent bookings.

very reasonable prices vary from project to project usually including a comprehensive ori-entation at LEAD's quito office, many meals, airport transfers, travel insurance for direct bookings only, 24-hour-a-day emergency sup-port, and organization of Spanish classes in some locations. volunteer accommodation varies from on-site dormitory-style out in the

country to well-situated hostels and home-stays in the city. Many city-based options may be customized by choice of accommodation and other support services. volunteers may also choose to do more than one program (minimum two weeks each) to experience dif-ferent projects and parts of the country.

Here is a glimpse of two experiences of my own to illustrate Ecuador options suitable for grown up volunteers.

A private Animal Rescue Center on the edge of the Ecuadorian has its own English-speak-ing volunteer coordinator from Holland, and several hand built cabins on the property. The Flores family lives on this vast jungle property themselves, treating every volunteer as an honored guest in their home and country. ger-man Flores and his son, Jorge, are both pas-sionate about their mission of animal rescue, rehabilitation and re-introduction to the wild where possible.

As we toured many acres of well-maintained buildings and jungle-setting enclosures, we met Chilean veterinarian, Tatiana, patiently feeding an abandoned new-born coati with a tiny milk bottle. She had read about Yanacocha on the internet and flown north to volunteer for two months. Another participant, Austra-lian Alex Wilson, had heard about the rescue center from friends while he was traveling in

ecuAdor's volunteer vAcAtions for "groWn ups"

Nine women from Britain joined forces for a three-week Galapagos Islands volunteer and adventure pro-gram, among LEAD Adventures most popular itinerar-ies. Photo credit: Trudie Udell

— 27 —


June, 2011

South America. Now after 10 days he was quite the pro with preparing quantities of fruit and veggies for each rescued critter twice a day and delivering buckets and wheelbarrows of

specialized menus to each enclosure. We were soon pressed into chopping service ourselves (the animals come first!) and later into helping with dinner preparation in the well-equipped volunteer kitchen and outdoor dining area.

Back at quito's 10,000-foot elevation, my focus switched from animals to people with the Villa Tica Street Children Daycare. its goal is to help pre-school children of single and teen working mothers, and to offer support to impoverished families in the neighborhood. On the street, you can't miss the three-storey whitewashed building with black and white cows dancing all over it. inside, colorful murals decorate every wall of the secure interior courtyard full of playground equipment. Each nursery and classroom is divided by age from six months to five years.

This is much more than a safe haven and a babysitting service for 100 lucky children. Besides receiving health programs not other-wise available to them, donated clothes and the only nutritional meals of their day, there are creative educational programs, especially for the three, four and five year olds. These are planned by accredited Ecuadorian pre-school teachers and delivered with the helping hands and loving support of many international vol-unteers. villa Tica has achieved a great deal since it was started by three Dutch women who came to Ecuador as volunteers themselves in 2002 and stayed to establish this inspiring charity which began operations in 2004.

i was treated to an animated sing-a-long of "head and shoulders, knees and toes" in Eng-lish by the class of four-year-olds. To my aston-ishment, the Ecuadorian teacher then proudly

A sample of ecuador’s volunteer possibilities

While in Ecuador, I researched the following four options and interviewed adult volunteers (age 35 and up). Contact LEAD Adventures (lead-adventures.com) for project details.• Amazon Animal Rescue Center (lead-adven-

tures.com/grown-up/index.php?/Amazon-Details/) six hours by public bus or car from Quito is a privately-funded operation for rescued and confiscated wild animals indig-enous to Ecuador. The goal is to return them to their natural habitat if at all possible.

• Villa Tica Daycare Center (lead-adventures.com/index.php?/Street-Children-Quito-Details/) in Quito supports 100 children (6 months to 5 years old) of teenage and single mothers, as well as children of financially-destitute families.

• Extreme Response City Dump Daycare (lead-adventures.com/grown-up/index.php?/Zambiza-Details/) in Quito supports 40 to 50 pre-school children of trash dump-working families, located right at the dump site.

• Galapagos Adventures (lead-adventures.com/grown-up/index.php?/Galapagos-Expe-rience-Details/) is an enriching land-based introduction to three key islands, combining well-planned volunteer days and educational vacation days during two or three week pro-grams. A different way to visit the Galapagos at a fraction of the cruise options!

At an Amazon Animal Rescue Center, volunteers are the care and feeding of indigenous wild animals dropped off as infants or in an injured state. Photo credit: LEAD Adventures

encouraged me to talk to the twenty children in English rather than in Spanish! Clearly, they had not just memorized a catchy song. Even at such a young age and within the impoverished

— 28 —


June, 2011

circumstances of their daily lives, they were being given the confidence to embrace a lan-guage that may one day be a stepping stone out of the grinding poverty of earlier family generations. That is daycare with vision!

By Alison GardnerEditor/journalist, Alison Gardner, is a global expert on nature-based vacations and cultural/educational travel. Her Travel with a Challenge web magazine, is a recognized source of new and established operators, accommodations and richly-illustrated feature articles covering all types of senior-friendly alternative travel.http://www.travelwithachallenge.com

Norma Harris from Britain and young Fernando get acquainted at Quito's Villa Tica Daycare which sup-ports working single mothers and their children living in extreme poverty. Photo credit: LEAD Adventures

Please order at your bookshop or send it directly to:Erich Schmidt Verlag GmbH & Co. KG Genthiner Str. 30 G · 10785 Berlin · GermanyFax +49 (0) 30 250085 275 · www.ESV.info · [email protected]

erich schmidt verl ag A u f W i s s e n v e r t r a u e n

Fax +49 (0) 30 25 00 85-275

Erich Schmidt Verlag GmbH & Co. KGGenthiner Straße 30 G10785 Berlin, Germany

Order Form

Tourism Development after the CrisesGlobal Imbalances – Poverty Alleviation

Edited by Prof. Dr. Peter Keller and Prof. Dr. Thomas Bieger

2011, XII, 248 pages, with numerous fi gures and tables, € (D) 39,95/USD 58.00, ISBN 978-3-503-13002-3International Tourism Research and Concepts, Volume 5

Company/Organisation ........................................................

Name / Customer-No. ...........................................................

Function ..............................................................................

Address ...............................................................................

Postcode .............................................................................

Fax .....................................................................................

Email ..........................................................................

Date/Signature ....................................................................

Right of revocation: Customers may revoke from the contract within two weeks after receipt of said goods. The notifi cation of revocation must be in writing to either your bookshop or Erich Schmidt Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Genthiner Str. 30 G, 10785 Berlin, Germany, Fax +49 (0) 30 250085 275, email: [email protected] (sending in due time is suffi cient).

We only collect and process your data for the performance of the contract, for the fostering of the ongoing customer relationship and to inform you about our offers and prices. You can stop your data being used for advertising purposes at any time. If you would like to do so, please send a letter by post or fax, or send us an email at [email protected].

Erich Schmidt Verlag GmbH & Co. KG · Sitz: Berlin · Persönlich haftende Gesellschafterin: ESV Verlagsführung GmbH · Amts gericht: Berlin-Charlottenburg · 93 HRB 27 197 · Geschäftsführer: Dr. Joa chim Schmidt

Lessons to be learned for the Future of Tourism

This book provides a unique analysis of the recent fi nancial crisis on world tourism and

particularly the development models which contribute to reduce poverty.

The volume is based on the knowledge of a network of more than 300 researchers and includes experiences from Europe, Africa and Asia. It focuses on the latest economic crises as a framework for analyses and as a real life case study.

A substantial contribution for the impact of tourism development in time of global imbalances!

For further information:

www.ESV.info/978-3-503-13002-3



Fax +49 (0) 30 25 00 85-275


Order Form





Name / Customer-No. ...........................................................

Function ..............................................................................

Address ...............................................................................

Postcode .............................................................................

Fax .....................................................................................

Email ..........................................................................

Date/Signature ....................................................................










www.ESV.info/978-3-503-13002-3



Fax +49 (0) 30 25 00 85-275


Order Form





Name / Customer-No. ...........................................................

Function ..............................................................................

Address ...............................................................................

Postcode .............................................................................

Fax .....................................................................................

Email ..........................................................................

Date/Signature ....................................................................










www.ESV.info/978-3-503-13002-3



Fax +49 (0) 30 25 00 85-275


Order Form





Name / Customer-No. ...........................................................

Function ..............................................................................

Address ...............................................................................

Postcode .............................................................................

Fax .....................................................................................

Email ..........................................................................

Date/Signature ....................................................................










www.ESV.info/978-3-503-13002-3



Fax +49 (0) 30 25 00 85-275


Order Form





Name / Customer-No. ...........................................................

Function ..............................................................................

Address ...............................................................................

Postcode .............................................................................

Fax .....................................................................................

Email ..........................................................................

Date/Signature ....................................................................










www.ESV.info/978-3-503-13002-3



Fax +49 (0) 30 25 00 85-275


Order Form





Name / Customer-No. ...........................................................

Function ..............................................................................

Address ...............................................................................

Postcode .............................................................................

Fax .....................................................................................

Email ..........................................................................

Date/Signature ....................................................................










www.ESV.info/978-3-503-13002-3



Fax +49 (0) 30 25 00 85-275


Order Form





Name / Customer-No. ...........................................................

Function ..............................................................................

Address ...............................................................................

Postcode .............................................................................

Fax .....................................................................................

Email ..........................................................................

Date/Signature ....................................................................










www.ESV.info/978-3-503-13002-3



Fax +49 (0) 30 25 00 85-275


Order Form





Name / Customer-No. ...........................................................

Function ..............................................................................

Address ...............................................................................

Postcode .............................................................................

Fax .....................................................................................

Email ..........................................................................

Date/Signature ....................................................................










www.ESV.info/978-3-503-13002-3

http://www.esv.info/978-3-503-13002-3

— 29 —


June, 2011

These days, many travelers are forgoing tradi-tional vacations in order to take part in a volun-teer vacation. volunteer vacations gives aver-age travelers the chance to volunteer abroad by taking part in a worthwhile project such as helping to preserve endangered wild animals or ecosystems through wildlife conservation programs, often in remote parts of the world, and much more.

Dr. Matthias Hammer, Executive Director of non-profit wildlife conservation volunteer organization Biosphere Expeditions, offers his top ten tips on how to choose the right volun-teer vacation:1. Make sure it is a well-established organiza-

tion with a proven track record of making a real difference in the projects it has become involved with – has it won any awards for its work?

2. if for example the project is about wildlife conservation, make sure that the program is run on verifiable scientific grounds. While you give your time as an interested traveler who wants to make a difference, you need to have peace of mind that the project you are helping with is being run by a qualified scientist.

3. Ask where your money goes. To truly make a difference, it is best if as much money and resources as possible go to help the local

environment in the country the project is in. Reputable organizations will always pub-lish information about how funds are dis-tributed to the public.

4. Make sure that the organization keeps you up to date on how your volunteer project is progressing. Even though you may have only been there for one or two weeks, many vol-unteer programs run for many years. Make sure that you will be sent regular reports to see what is happening with the program.

5. Many volunteer vacations will take place in remote parts of the world where you may have close encounters with potentially dan-gerous wild animals. Make sure the orga-nization that you are volunteering with has an excellent safety record and takes the whole issue seriously.

6. Do some background research on your expedition leader and make sure that they are qualified. To some extent you may be putting your life in their hands, so you need to be sure they have all the necessary quali-fications.

7. Determine what new skills you will learn on your volunteer vacation and how you will be taught these skills. One of the biggest bonuses of a volunteer program may be learning something new in an exciting envi-ronment and you want to make sure that

the people who are teaching you are well qualified.

8. Make sure that you have clear goals about what you hope to accomplish out of the whole experience and don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek the views of travel-ers who have gone before you. Reputable organizations will always offer to put you in touch with previous travellers – if they don’t, beware.

ten tips for tAKing A volunteer vAcAtion

© Biosphere Expeditions

— 30 —


June, 2011

9. Find out who you will be traveling with. As you may be virtually living “next door” to each other for some time, you need to be comfortable with the type of people you are likely to be with. The organization should be able to tell you about the kind of people who typically attends their projects. Facebook, blog pages, and social media outlets can be invaluable information gath-ering tools for volunteer vacations.

10. Most importantly, determine if it will be fun. Although most volunteer vacations

have a serious purpose, you should have fun considering that you are spending your valuable vacation time “giving back”.

For more tips, advice, and information about volunteer vacations and volunteer wildlife con-servation programs visit the Biosphere Expedi-tions website at www.biosphere-expeditions.org or contact [email protected].

http://www.biosphere-expeditions.org

© Biosphere Expeditions © Biosphere Expeditions

http://www.travelwithachallenge.com

— 31 —


June, 2011

Volunteer tourism begins on the individual level, with a desire to both explore and posi-tively contribute to the communities visited during a journey abroad. For highly visited countries such as Peru, the financial benefits of traditional tourism are obvious but organi-zations such as Traveller Not Tourist take the concept a step further by integrating the social, cultural, and economic advantages of travel.

Founders jay and Luis Chavez aimed to cre-ate a non-profit organization that connected foreign visitors with locals in a way that would foster a self-sustaining immersion experience to enrich the lives of all involved. Not only do volunteers assist with the daily operation of the school and orphanage sustained by the program, but they also have the opportunity to help by booking tours through the in-house travel agency, which donates 50% of all profits back to the program. Fundraising efforts have also gone international with the preliminary establishment of a uk based charity called Pachawawas, formed to support the work being done in Peru.

Benefiting the locAl community

Projects available to volunteers include the Casa Hogar Luz Alba orphanage and the Flora Tristan community school. Finished in 2010, the school was constructed almost exclusively

by the hands of volunteers and serves as a place for children in the outlying community to practice and speak English. Because tourism in Arequipa is such a profitable business, speak-ing English is both a highly-desired and market-able skill. Attendance is free of cost and chil-dren from ages three to eighteen find a safe place to learn and play within the walls of this colorful, five classroom building.

unique from other TESL programs, the teach-ing here is conducted solely by volunteers who develop their own curriculum and administer all lessons and activities based on the level of comprehension of each class. Small construc-tion projects also arise at the school, allow-ing for continual growth and expansion and attracting travellers who prefer the challenge of more physically demanding activities.

The Casa Hogar Luz Alba orphanage is a home for about 20 children under the age of twelve. volunteers assist orphanage staff to provide constant care and attention to each child during formative years of psychologi-cal and physical growth. The good work done here is apparent as children who have been abused or abandoned find a comfortable, lov-ing place to live and thrive under the supervi-sion of adults. Besides spending quality time with the children, volunteers help with house-work such as cooking and cleaning, homework

completion, playing games, and short outings to visit the doctor or enjoy the sunshine. vol-unteer gemma Smiddy adds, “Helping out at the orphanage allowed me to meet other vol-unteers, create lasting friendships, and partici-pate in a more worthwhile cause as opposed to just being a tourist, which is a bit more self-indulgent. The children at Casa Hogar are so loved, and their safety and well being are our first priority.”

meAningful explorAtion

Aside from the more venerable aspects of donating time and energy, volunteers also reap the benefits of the Traveller Not Tourist

trAvel And volunteer in peru’s orphAnAge And school

— 32 —


June, 2011

concept of cultural immersion. Many other programs charge significant fees to participate in voluntourism, whereas Traveller Not Tourist keeps costs low through the operation of an in-house travel agency, personal Spanish lessons, and local fundraising.

Living in Arequipa has its perks: the city is not only a culinary treasure with delicacies like cuy chactado (roasted guinea pig) and chicha morada (fermented corn drink), but it is also in the vicinity of excellent hiking and trekking opportunities such as Colca and Cotahuasi Canyons and volcanoes Misti, Ampato, and Chachani. The recent addition of a full-time travel operator at the office allows volunteers to easily plan trips – even at the last min-ute – knowing that their travel arrangements are booked with reputable local guides at fair prices.

Traveller Not Tourist stands apart by offering programs of varied length, for those travellers who have anywhere from one day to one year to give to the organization. Living arrangements

while volunteering will also suit just about any taste, with options to live at a homestay, bed and breakfast, or at the volunteer house in town. With so many choices to tailor the expe-rience of each volunteer, combined with the visible difference that Traveller Not Tourist is making in the lives of those in Arequipa, travel-lers who are looking to give and receive joy will continue to find their way to the doorstep of the Andes.

By Jessica Wardhttp://www.travellernottourist.com

Copyright 2010 Leon Puplett

http://www.tourism-review.com

Tourism Review Online Magazine - In Vogue: Volunteer Vacations

Documents

Transcript of Tourism Review Online Magazine - In Vogue: Volunteer Vacations