Ong, Faith, Pearlman, Michael and Lockstone, Leonie (2011) An examination of not-for-profit volunteer tourism sending organisations' guiding considerations that influence volunteer tourism programmes. World Leisure Journal, 53 (4). pp. 296-311. ISSN 0441-9057 (print) 1607-8055 (online)

Abstract

This exploratory study examines the guiding considerations which not-for-profit volunteer tourism sending organisations utilise in designing and implementing volunteer tourism programmes. These considerations encompass overarching factors which affect the strategic and operational direction which those sending organisations take, influencing their choice of activities and providing the framework for their programmes. The study explores the vision and mission statements of not-for-profit sending organisations along with their programme principles so as to reveal the guiding considerations which underpin the implementation of volunteer tourism programmes. Eleven guiding considerations were determined, with the five most frequently occurring listed in rank order as: Interaction, Needs of Host Community, Participant-Focused Benefits, Host Community–Focused Participation and Quality of Life. The fact that three guiding considerations focused heavily on the impact on, and needs and involvement of, the host community, is a promising indication that not-for-profit sending organisations place strong emphasis on a host-community-led strategy that keeps their programmes relevant to key beneficiaries. The needs of the participants are not neglected, however, with participant-focused benefits, such as the learning and adventure components of trips, being a prominent guiding consideration to emerge from the analysis. Lastly, bringing mutual benefits and positive interaction between host communities and volunteer tourists is also a key focus of these organisations. This research contributes to the limited literature on volunteer tourism sending organisations and offers an initial insight into the motivations and criteria that mould programmes from the perspective of these organisations.

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