Are visitors interested in volunteer tourism? Evidence from Slovakia

Abstract

Volunteer tourism is one of the fastest growing types of alternative travel, highlighting the need for sustainability. It has been studied in a number of researches that focus almost exclusively on the demand for certain projects in outbound tourism. With the aim of a more comprehensive view of the issue, this paper examines and compare the current state of demand for domestic and outgoing volunteer tourism within Slovakia. It is based on a quantitative survey conducted on a sample of 573 respondents who represent a representative picture of the population of Slovakia older than 15 years in terms of age and gender. It turns out that between 18 and 25% of the Slovak population participated in domestic volunteer tourism between 2013 and 2018 (in average 3-4% a year). Outbound volunteer tourism was 4 to 8% (approximately 1% a year). In both cases, potential demand clearly exceeds effective demand. As individuals grow older, participation in volunteer tourism decrease slightly, while participation in the home country is positively influenced by higher education while participation abroad is dependent on the individual's economic status. Participation in domestic volunteer tourism is largely influenced by volunteer-specific motives, this differs from outbound tourism, where tourist specific motives prevail. In the home country. Volunteers sometimes do not realize that they are involved in tourism; the altruistic motive of helping others is paramount. Important information about national volunteer tourism of Slovak residents is obtained mostly from direct sources. Time is the most decisive obstacle to people's participation in volunteer tourism. Comparing the demand of Slovak citizens for domestic and outgoing volunteer tourism shows the possibilities of its further development.* This research was supported by the VEGA project no. V-18-101-07-101312: Abandoned Slovakia: Effective solutions to the creative reuse of abandoned properties in non-urban areas.

Attitudes of Local Population Towards the Impacts of Tourism Development: Evidence From Czechia

“…This has led to too many people trying to visit the "must-see" locations of the world creating "tourist ghettos." This inevitably leads to disappointment as people are reduced to a melancholy mass (Pompurová et al, 2020). The positive relationships between tourism psychological empowerment, tourism economic empowerment, and participation willingness would be more robust when village residents' participation ability is higher (Yang et al, 2020).…”

“…Tourism, the third-largest sector in the world, represents 10% of the world's GDP, and it is also responsible for 5% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions (Migale et al, 2019). As tourism evolved, its original meaning of traveling to the unknown, to places outside of the ordinary, where visitors experience a sense of excitement by directly contacting the local community, has changed (Pompurová et al, 2020). We can state that the possible negative socio-economic effects certainly stand out from the local identity's weakening under tourism and weekend visitors' influence (Marković and Klarić, 2015).…”

Voluntourism in the Context of Community-Based Tourism, and Regenerative Tourism: A Theoretical Exploration Focusing on Responsibility

“…Although VT is inevitably related to local community (e.g., Wearing & Grabowski, 2011;Bentele, 2023), its regenerative potential for the host community and the destination is underexplored (Wearing & McGehee, 2013;McGehee & Andereck, 2009;Hernandez-Maskivker, Lapointe & Aquino, 2018). The vital role of intermediary organizations, either non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-for-profit organizations (NPOs), or tour operators and commercial entities (Pompurová & Marčeková, 2017) for the successful management of VT has only recently been realized (Wearing & McGehee, 2013;McGehee & Andereck, 2008;Bentele, 2023;Hernandez-Maskivker, Lapointe & Aquino, 2018). Online platforms have most recently diversified the spectrum of intermediaries , introducing less coordinated activity based on direct communication between hosts and travellers.…”

Progress in volunteer tourism research: From niche tourism curiosity to experience-based improvements

“…Volunteering tourists seek intrapersonal and interpersonal authenticity (Kontogeorgopoulos, 2017) and "substantial interaction" with locals (Kainthola et al, 2021). However, limited time dedicated to a project often prevents volunteers from obtaining the desirable work result, which causes them frustration (Pompurová et al, 2020).…”