Travel By Design: Volunteer Travel
“He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb
Ecology, sustainability, social and economic development are the underpinnings of volunteer travel. Many travelers, particularly socially-responsible ones, use travel opportunities as a way to give back to communities in need. Although voluntourism isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, these types of experiences can bring travelers new perspectives on people, places and cultures and change the lives of everyone involved whether on the giving or receiving end of a good deed. (photo credit: Piers Brown)
How to Social Impact Travel (Without the Price Tag)
By Natasha TuckerFor many people, including myself, while travelling the world is a passion, it is important to simultaneously make a positive change in communities and the environment in which we are exploring. This is known as social impact travel. Read more
The World Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Voluntourism and Galapagos Islands Conservation Practices: The Need for Caution
Join us for thought-provoking conversations that examine voluntourism and the impact that conservation practices and tourism have on the Galapagos Islands. First, voluntourism aka volunteer travel projects are helpful to communities in need. But, intercultural educator Lena Papadopoulos says that some projects cause more harm to the communities they are … Read more Read more
Central and South America Volunteer Travel Conservation Social Responsibility
Mexico’s street dog problem — and how travelers are part of the solution
By Jessica Barrett“Watch us come back with a dog,” I joked to my partner as we packed our things for four months on Mexico’s Pacific coast. As it turned out, it was less of a joke than I thought. Read more
Mexico Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Bringing Mobility and Hope to the Philippines
By Jessica BarrettCreating 19 prosthetic limbs for 13 children in under a week might seem like a daunting task, but Robert Schulman has never shied away from a challenge. The certified prosthetist and founder of US-based nonprofit Limb Kind Foundation arrived in Davao City, Philippines in September with a team of 11 … Read more Read more
Asia Accessible Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Voluntourism: When Helping can Hurt
By Breana Johnson“Say cheese!” I lift the camera to my eyes and snap a picture, capturing the moment forever. The dozen or so Caribbean kids and visiting volunteers relax their poses and give goodbye hugs to one another. A handful of Rotary Club members from St. Catharines, Ontario visits the island of … Read more Read more
Caribbean and Atlantic Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Desroches Island Is One of Several Homes For Giant “Dinosaur-Looking” Tortoises
If you ever saw an Aldabra Giant Tortoise, you’d think it was a dinosaur, as they look as if they came from another time period. And, it’s possible that’s true. After all, they can live to be more than 100 years old and weigh up to 300 pounds. Of course, … Read more Read more
Africa Volunteer Travel Preservation
The Coral Rehabilitation Project Reviving the Maldives Reefs
By Bianca CaruanaThe Maldives islands are home to more than a thousand coral reefs, vibrant ecosystems that provide a home for marine life. The coral reefs of the Maldives’ 26 atolls offer striking underwater exhibitions of colorful fish and oddly-shaped fauna to holidaymakers who visit this stunning destination. However, in recent years, … Read more Read more
Asia Volunteer Travel Preservation
Volungearing: A New Way to Do Good
By Bianca CaruanaA new kind of volunteer tourism has entered the travel industry with an innovative approach; Volungearing, conceived by TribesForGOOD, taps an individual’s skills to pair him or her successfully in the social impact sector. This concept gives well-meaning individuals an alternative option to the current saturated market that is voluntourism— … Read more Read more
Asia Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Responsible Tourism: Why It’s Not Okay To Visit Syria
By Scarlett MansfieldPicture this: You are in Aleppo, standing in front of what is left of your house. You are reeling with the loss of your mother, your father, your brother, or if the world is particularly cruel, more than one family member. An edgily dressed 19-year-old British boy on his gap … Read more Read more
Middle East Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Sint Maarten: A Youth Program Reaches Out After Hurricane Irma
By Breana JohnsonSeptember 2, 2017, was a calm and sunny Saturday on the Dutch Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. In a small cluster of brightly painted shipping containers, a group of children gathered to play games, read books, and toss around a baseball. It was just another normal weekend at the Player … Read more Read more
Caribbean and Atlantic Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Volunteering in Sri Lanka After a Tsunami
By Julie HatfieldThe photograph that appeared on the front page of newspapers throughout the world following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was heartbreaking: it sent me to Sri Lanka. The photo pictured a forlorn man squatting alone on a beach looking out to the Indian Ocean with a mournfully sad look on … Read more Read more
Asia Volunteer Travel
The Caribbean: This Season’s Top Destination for the Conscientious Traveler
By Breana JohnsonAs a conscientious traveler, you probably think about where your money goes after you spend it. Who and what does your spending benefit? Lately, travel practices like “voluntourism,” and booking green hotels have become hugely popular. Additionally, many travelers to third-world countries prefer to spend on locally-based companies rather than … Read more Read more
Caribbean and Atlantic Volunteer Travel
The future of elephant conservation in Kenya
By Derek CullenKenya is a no-nonsense nation when it comes to conservation in recent times and in particular, with elephant conservation. Impressively, this concentrated effort has been consistent since the late 1980’s when the President at that time, Daniel Arap Moi, proceeded to burn more than twelve tons of ivory to show … Read more Read more
Africa Volunteer Travel Preservation
Volunteer travel opportunities in Haiti
By Breana JohnsonAs Haiti once again sizes up the massive post-disaster cleanup ahead of them, many of us who missed Hurricane Matthew are anxious to learn how we can help. The best way to get in there and make a difference is to go to the Caribbean and volunteer. Here are several … Read more Read more
Caribbean and Atlantic Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
First steps towards planning a Volunteer Vacation
By Tonya FitzpatrickVoluntourism, or volunteer travel, is growing in popularity and altruism seems to be the driving force. But it is all that it promises? What are the benefits and how can any pitfalls be avoided? Here are a few things you should consider if a volunteer holiday is something you want … Read more Read more
Central and South America Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility