Volunteering and the Destinations: Socialisation and Interaction

Abstract

Volunteering has been part of the growing social and economic phenomenon because of the belief that it delivers positive effects for the stakeholders involved. This paper undertakes analysis of the impacts of the Sunflower (xiangrikuei) volunteering program. The research attempts to understand the views of the volunteers, organisers, and destination representatives from interviews, focus groups and observation. The research confirms that while volunteers and organisers do benefit from the experience, the impacts of volunteering on the destinations present a complex mixture of results. While destinations do express their benefits from working with volunteers who bring different skills and influences, they are concerned that volunteers working for a short period of time do not bring enough positive changes but rather disturb the normal local arrangement. Communication may be challenging, and conflicts may arise between volunteers and some local people. The research provides insights for improving the benefits for destinations related to volunteering.

Family Business, Resilience, and Ethnic Tourism in Yunnan, China

“…This partnership is particularly strong in volunteers who have worked in Yunnan. The social and personal transformation in volunteering assists the youth in becoming responsible citizens [41][42][43]. They are genuinely engaged in contributing to the community [44], and have become active partners for family tourism businesses.…”

The Promoting Role of Cultural Industry in “the Belt and Road” Initiative

“…Cultural industrial zones, including the Russian Island Development Zone, which are mainly engaged in cultural industries, have promoted in-depth communication among ethnic groups in border areas, thus condensing the positive energy of ethnic groups and increasing tolerance and understanding, eliminating the influence of the "three forces" and national misunderstandings from the ideological source, and jointly safeguarding regional security and economic prosperity (Wen & Zhong, 2018). Industrial security mainly refers to "the Belt and Road" construction process, specific industries along the competition to maintain a relatively independent industrial status, competitive advantage and production safety.…”

“…Thirdly, the cultural characteristic park forms a national industrial income. The establishment of cultural characteristic park combines the experience of "the Belt and Road" and "going out", and the industrial parks established along the Silk Road at home and abroad can get favorable industrial policy support (Wen & Zhong, 2018). The "National Gourmet Street" and the "Gourmet Restaurant" are the cultural characteristic parks that integrate the Published by SCHOLINK INC.…”