Volunteer tourists in the field: A question of balance?

Tomazos, Konstantinos; Butler, Richard

doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2011.02.020

Cited by 65 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…The low-scoring criteria are those largely concerned with recruitment of appropriate volunteers and volunteering with children, both of which can have hugely damaging consequences if badly managed such as long term psychosocial vulnerability and sexual exploitation (Goodwin, 2011;Mostafanezhad, 2013;Reas, 2013;Tomazos and Butler, 2012). This study confirms the findings from Callanan and Thomas (2005), who found that promotional material for "shallow VT projects" focused on the destination and the experiences, while "deep VT projects" emphasised the project and the impact of volunteering (and would require higher signalling bonds).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is closely aligned with self-realisation, using the time and space to discover, challenge and develop abilities, self-esteem, pride and enrich one's life (Krippendorf, 1987;McGehee and Clemmons, 2008;SNV, 2009). Additionally, there is an interplay of mass tourism motives and volunteer motives, to mix adventure with restoration and re-vitalisation (Krippendorf, 1987;Wearing, 2001;Tomazos and Butler, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Volunteer tourism, greenwashing and understanding responsible marketing using market signalling theory

Smith

Font

2014

Journal of Sustainable Tourism

121

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Voluntee r tourism has been heavily criticise d for its negative conse quence s on destinations and voluntee rs, often the dire ct result of unrealistic demand -led marke ting and lack of conside ration for the environmental and social costs of host communities. While some industry participants have responded through adhe rence to best practice, little information or support is available about how to responsibly market voluntee r tourism . This research uses an online content analysis based on the Inte rnational Voluntourism Guide lines for Commercial Ope rators to unde rstand the use of responsibility as a marke t signalling tool. Five influential web pages of eight organisations are scored across 19 re sponsibility crite ria and compared against the organisation's le gal status, product type and price .We find that responsibility is not used for marke t signalling; prefe re nce is give n to communicating what is easy, and not wha t is important. The status of the organisation is no guarantee of responsible practice, and price and responsibility communications display an inve rse relationship. We conclude voluntee r tourism ope rators are ove rpositioning and communicating responsibility inconsistently, which highlights greenwashing, requiring at least industry-wide codes of practice, and at be st, regulation. This pape r refle cts on its methodological limitations, and on its practical achievements in e ncouraging change within some of the organisations examined. Victoria Smith is a graduate from the MSc Responsible Tourism Management at LeedsMetropolitan University. Dr Xavier Font is Reader at the International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism andHospitality at Leeds Metropolitan University. His research focuses on understanding reasons for pro-sustainability behaviour and market based mechanisms to encourage s ustainable production and consumption. IntroductionVolunteer tourism (VT) is a hybrid concept, bringing together international volunteering and tourism, "the practice of individuals going on a working holiday, volunteering their labour for worthy causes" (Tomazos, 2009a:196). VT is often promoted as a way to experience authenticity within the context of an alternative tourism beneficial to destinations, leading to expectations of a responsible tourism ethos. The purpose is often "aiding or alleviating the material poverty of some groups in society; the restoration of certain specific environments or research into aspects of society or environment" (Wearing, 2007:1) alongside touristic activities. However, as VT grows in popularity, the true value and costs with regard to the triple bottom line are being called into question (Goodwin, 2011;Wearing, 2001).VT organisations have come under criticism for being overly profit-driven, overpromising benefits, harming destinations and creating customer dissatisfaction (Benson and Henderson, 2011;Crossley, 2012;Simpson, 2004;Tomazos and Cooper, 2012). In this issue of this journal, Taplin, Dredge and Scherrer (2014) outline a monitoring and evalua...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volunteer tourism, greenwashing and understanding responsible marketing using market signalling theory

Smith

Font

2014

Journal of Sustainable Tourism

121

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“…Even more important, however, is the satisfaction that comes from receiving love and affection from hosts. In this regard, children are essential not only because they tend to demonstrate unrestrained affection compared to adults, but also because children more readily accept and respond to the love and affection of volunteers (Tomazos & Butler, 2012). Echoing the views of many other volunteers, JoEllen from England commented on the uninhibited affection shown to her by local children:…”

Section: Finding Oneself: Volunteer Tourism and Intra-personal Existementioning

confidence: 99%

Finding oneself while discovering others: An existential perspective on volunteer tourism in Thailand

Kontogeorgopoulos

2017

Annals of Tourism Research

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“…Gap year travel is often combined with voluntary work, which has been widely discussed in academic circles in recent years (e.g. TOMAZOS & BUTLER 2012, WEARING 2001, LYONS et al, 2011, BENSON, ed. 2011, focusing not only on the motivations (which could be altruistic, ethical or utilitarian -e.g.…”

Section: Generation Y and The Organization Of Tourism Tripsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tourism trends among Generation Y in Poland

Kowalczyk-Anioł¹

2013

Tour

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On the basis of empirical studies and available sources, the author presents tourism as undertaken by young Poles from Generation Y, with reference to demographic, and above all generational changes. She focuses on presenting tourism preferences and typical behaviour. The analysis shows that their behaviour is similar to those observed by Generation Y globally. The similarities are also visible in tourism - new, post-modernist trends, such as gap year and internet couch surfing portals, as forms of independent travel organization, are becoming more and more popular. On the other hand, the consumptionist habits of Generation Y (preferences for comfort and entertainment), as well as an orientation towards family and friends, frequently travelling companions, can also be observed

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Volunteer tourists in the field: A question of balance?

Cited by 65 publications

References 49 publications

Volunteer tourism, greenwashing and understanding responsible marketing using market signalling theory

Volunteer tourism, greenwashing and understanding responsible marketing using market signalling theory

Finding oneself while discovering others: An existential perspective on volunteer tourism in Thailand

Tourism trends among Generation Y in Poland

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