Travel By Design: Volunteer Travel
“He who does not travel does not know the value of men.”
– Moorish proverb
Ecology, sustainability, social and economic development are the underpinnings of volunteer travel. Many travelers, particularly socially-responsible ones, use travel opportunities as a way to give back to communities in need. Although voluntourism isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, these types of experiences can bring travelers new perspectives on people, places and cultures and change the lives of everyone involved whether on the giving or receiving end of a good deed. Traveling for a noble cause gives a whole new meaning to traveling as the volunteers travel to bring about a change in the prevalent systems and/or conditions and help the vulnerable and needy ones. (photo credit: Piers Brown)
Volungearing: A New Way to Do Good
By Bianca CaruanaA new kind of volunteer tourism has entered the travel industry with an innovative approach; Volungearing, conceived by TribesForGOOD, taps an individual’s skills to pair him or her successfully in the social impact sector. Read more
Asia Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Meaningful Travel: When Your Trip Isn’t Just a Vacation
By Cara SieraOur trip could be labeled volunteering since the primary purpose of the trip was to serve. “Voluntourism” – tourist travel with a volunteering component – has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to make travel more meaningful and give back to the places visited. Read more
The World Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Volunteering in Sri Lanka After a Tsunami
By Julie HatfieldThe photograph that appeared on the front page of newspapers throughout the world following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was heartbreaking: it sent me to Sri Lanka. Read more
Asia Volunteer Travel
Want to Volunteer in Africa? You Should Consider Tanzania
By Derek CullenTanzania is not just a friendly and affordable country in which to volunteer but also the kind of place that lets the imagination run wild. For instance, it is here in Tanzania that you can climb the tallest mountain in Africa or perhaps take a wildlife safari in the most … Read more Read more
Africa Volunteer Travel
The future of elephant conservation in Kenya
By Derek CullenKenya is a no-nonsense nation when it comes to conservation in recent times and in particular, with elephant conservation. I Read more
Africa Volunteer Travel Preservation
The Coral Rehabilitation Project Reviving the Maldives Reefs
By Bianca CaruanaThe Maldives islands are home to more than a thousand coral reefs, vibrant ecosystems that provide a home for marine life. Read more
Asia Volunteer Travel Preservation
Bringing Mobility and Hope to the Philippines
By Jessica BarrettCreating 19 prosthetic limbs for 13 children in under a week might seem like a daunting task, but Robert Schulman has never shied away from a challenge. The certified prosthetist and founder of US-based nonprofit Limb Kind Foundation arrived in Davao City, Philippines in September with a team of 11 … Read more Read more
Asia Accessible Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
How to Social Impact Travel (Without the Price Tag)
By Natasha TuckerFor many people, including myself, while travelling the world is a passion, it is important to simultaneously make a positive change in communities and the environment in which we are exploring. This is known as social impact travel. Read more
The World Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Voluntourism and Galapagos Islands Conservation Practices: The Need for Caution
Join us for thought-provoking conversations that examine voluntourism and the impact that conservation practices and tourism have on the Galapagos Islands. First, voluntourism aka volunteer travel projects are helpful to communities in need. But, intercultural educator Lena Papadopoulos says that some projects cause more harm to the communities they are … Read more Read more
Central and South America Volunteer Travel Conservation Social Responsibility
Mexico’s street dog problem — and how travelers are part of the solution
By Jessica Barrett“Watch us come back with a dog,” I joked to my partner as we packed our things for four months on Mexico’s Pacific coast. As it turned out, it was less of a joke than I thought. Read more
Mexico Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Voluntourism: When Helping can Hurt
By Breana JohnsonVoluntourism can be a benefit to communities, but if done improperly, it can actually be more harmful than helpful. Read more
Caribbean and Atlantic Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Desroches Island Is One of Several Homes For Giant “Dinosaur-Looking” Tortoises
If you ever saw an Aldabra Giant Tortoise, you’d think it was a dinosaur, as they look as if they came from another time period. And, it’s possible that’s true. After all, they can live to be more than 100 years old and weigh up to 300 pounds. Of course, … Read more Read more
Africa Volunteer Travel Preservation
Responsible Tourism: Why It’s Not Okay To Visit Syria
By Scarlett MansfieldPicture this: You are in Aleppo, standing in front of what is left of your house. You are reeling with the loss of your mother, your father, your brother, or if the world is particularly cruel, more than one family member. An edgily dressed 19-year-old British boy on his gap … Read more Read more
Middle East Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Sint Maarten: A Youth Program Reaches Out After Hurricane Irma
By Breana JohnsonSeptember 2, 2017, was a calm and sunny Saturday on the Dutch Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. In a small cluster of brightly painted shipping containers, a group of children gathered to play games, read books, and toss around a baseball. It was just another normal weekend at the Player … Read more Read more
Caribbean and Atlantic Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
The Caribbean: This Season’s Top Destination for the Conscientious Traveler
By Breana JohnsonThe Caribbean was recently hit hard by hurricanes Irma, Jose, and Maria. Organizations and individuals from the around the world have been pouring resources into rescue and rebuilding efforts. But it’s going to take more than disaster relief to get Caribbean communities back on their feet. It’s going to take … Read more Read more
Caribbean and Atlantic Volunteer Travel