Finding the win-win: Providing supportive and enriching volunteer tourism experiences while promoting sustainable social change

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider critical improvements that need to be made to the volunteer tourism industry with regard to risks to both service users and volunteers. Following an exploration of why these issues are so hard to resolve, recommendations are made for next steps forward.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a case example of the project from which the author is a Director: Supporting Kids In Peru and draws on her additional practice experience as a child protection social worker.

Findings

The paper provides a summary of observations to encourage and support practice improvements within the volunteer tourism industry to better safeguard both volunteers and vulnerable people they may be working with.

Practical implications

A number of clear recommendations are made, including sharing information, improving communication and setting minimum standards, to improve the overall professionalism of the industry.

Originality/value

The paper provides an insightful practitioner perspective to an aspect of the tourism industry that bridges directly into social services, something which it has had little time to prepare for and has seen dramatic growth in the past few years.

Citation

Wilson, L. (2015), "Finding the win-win: Providing supportive and enriching volunteer tourism experiences while promoting sustainable social change", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 201-207. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-12-2014-0045