This article explains the benefits of volunteer tourism for the volunteer, drawing on a range of academic studies.
Volunteer tourism has been studied widely in the academic literature, and researchers have identified many ways in which it can benefit those who take part. Below are 20 of the most commonly documented benefits.
The combination of volunteering and tourism has become increasingly popular. Volunteer tourism generally focuses on supporting communities and environments while travelling – for a full explanation, see the definition of volunteer tourism and where it fits in the wider tourism industry.
Tourist motivations within the travel and tourism industry are changing, and the same is true of volunteer tourism, where there is a wide range of motivations.
In the past, the reasons for volunteering were predominantly altruism-based, meaning that people did it because they wanted to help others. Now, however, research suggests more self-interested motivations among many volunteer tourists, where notions such as CV enhancement and travelling the world are dominant motivating factors. Read more in ‘Volunteer tourism: The reasons why people volunteer‘.
These changes in motivations have changed the nature of the volunteer tourism industry, affecting the advantages and disadvantages of volunteer tourism for both tourists and hosts. This is discussed further in the articles on the positive and negative impacts of volunteer tourism.
Volunteer tourism is therefore not just about ‘doing good’ for others, but also about ‘doing good’ for oneself.
Interestingly, much of the literature on the benefits of volunteer tourism focuses on the tourist rather than the host, despite the main aim of volunteer tourism being to improve the wellbeing and livelihoods of host communities and environments.
Below are 20 documented benefits of volunteer tourism for the tourist, as highlighted through a range of academic studies.
#1 Develop skills to aid career development
Volunteer tourism is an important means for career development. The ability to immerse oneself in a different culture and community whilst supporting them provides a fertile ground for acquiring relevant skills, experience and qualifications.
This is illustrated by a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) volunteer in Söderman and Snead’s (2008) study, who explained that she would not have been able to teach at home in the UK without formal teaching qualifications and experience, but that volunteer tourism gave her this opportunity.
Volunteering also offers the opportunity to practice skills valued in the workplace, such as task management, teamwork, communication, problem solving and time management.
A survey of business leaders for the charity Timebank found that 73% would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without.
#2 Cheap travel opportunities
Data on volunteer tourism costs is limited, but research by ATLAS and Tourism Research and Marketing (TRAM) in 2008 found that volunteers typically paid an average of around £2,000 per trip.
It is also worth noting that volunteer tourism projects often take place in developing economies; meaning living costs are low compared to developed economies.
This usually covers housing, meals, projects, materials, administration and on-site staff support. Volunteers may therefore have few additional costs during their stay, apart from tourist activities outside volunteering, which can make the cost of the overall travel experience cheaper than it may otherwise be.
Having the opportunity to travel without large expenses is appealing to many prospective volunteer tourists and is one of the dominant benefits of volunteer tourism.
Some companies offer packages that combine volunteering, such as teaching English, with travel opportunities. Request a TEFL brochure to see examples.
#3 To have a ‘grassroots’ cultural experience
Unlike other forms of tourism, volunteer tourism provides a unique travel experience and demonstrates the most cohesive practice of cultural immersion.
During volunteer tourism projects, volunteers work alongside and within host communities. This can provide a more authentic cultural experience that is less commodified than many tourist experiences.
Volunteer tourism, therefore, is beneficial to the tourist because it provides them with a cultural, ‘grass roots’ experience that they may otherwise not experience during their travels.
This is demonstrated through a number of academic studies examining the benefits of volunteer tourism including those undertaken by Coren and Gray (2012); Lo and Lee
(2011); Grabowski (2013); McIntosh and Zahra (2008); Palacios (2010) and Wickens (2011).
#4 Exhibit philanthropic behaviour
Volunteer tourism is based on the notion of giving and supporting others. As a result, one of the benefits of volunteer tourism is the ability to exhibit philanthropic behaviour.
Philanthropic activities and behaviours are something that is often sought after by employers. It can therefore strengthen a CV and improve employability, making this another benefit of volunteer tourism!
Whilst this is an area that warrants further attention in the academic community, this benefit of volunteer tourism has been documented by Coren and Gray (2012) and Lo and Lee (2011) in their research. For more on how tourism can be philanthropic, see the travel philanthropy website.
#5 Enhanced relationships/cross-cultural relationships
Volunteer tourism allows tourists to see and experience different cultures on a more personal level than other forms of tourism and to build relationships with members of the host community.
It is widely documented that volunteer tourism provides opportunities to broaden cultural understandings. This can help broaden a person’s mind and help them to gain a better understanding of the way that different people and communities work.
Being empathetic and understanding different cultures can help make a person more employable, particularly given that people live in an ever-increasing globalised world.
In modern society, cultures are often criticised for their differences in what can often be described as a heated political climate. But volunteer tourism provides opportunities to open minds and enhance relationships between cultures.
Relationship building is not only limited to the host community, but also to other volunteer tourists working on the same project, giving the opportunity to meet a variety of volunteer tourists from a range of backgrounds.
#6 Becoming ambassadors of home country
Volunteer tourists can raise awareness of the work you do as a volunteer and encourage others to become a volunteer too. They can use their skills and experiences to encourage greater public awareness of the serious issues facing communities and environments.
Working as a volunteer tourist also provides the opportunity to become an ambassador of your home country. Whilst volunteering overseas can mean that a volunteer tourist learns a lot about the country within which they are based, they can also learn a lot about the countries that their volunteer tourist peers are based in through the friendships that they build.
#7 Realisation of the importance of material possessions
The volunteer tourism experience allows volunteers to witness first-hand the limited belongings that many host communities have. Volunteers often realise the importance of food and shelter, as well as the importance of companionship with other people.
This often leads to reflection on their own circumstances and many volunteer tourists will realise that material possessions and ‘first world’ problems are in actual fact not as important as they once thought, as evidenced in Brown’s (2005) research. In fact, many volunteer tourists have reported changes in their world views and priorities in this regard upon completion of their volunteer tourism placement.
#8 Education
Education is one of the most notable benefits of volunteer tourism and is widely documented throughout the academic literature.
Volunteering allows people to learn about local socioeconomic and political issues, new languages and even discover more about themselves.
Volunteer tourism can encompass formal education, such as a TEFL qualification or informal learning, such as learning from the travel experience itself. Teaching opportunities can be found on this TEFL jobs board.
#9 Personal growth and development
For many, volunteer tourism projects will be a step or two outside of their comfort zone. The challenges that arise with the projects will broaden a person’s skill set and allow them to discover a lot about themselves and the skills, strengths and capabilities they have.
Volunteers are likely to face many challenges when undertaking a volunteer tourism project ranging from public speaking to living in conditions that you are not used to. Despite the difficulties that this may encompass, it often brings about personal growth and development, which is seen as one of the major benefits of volunteer tourism.
Such experiences often encourage the development of confidence and particular feelings of self-determination and self-worth. This is a benefit of volunteer tourism that is widely evidenced in academic research, including the work of: Broad (2003); Brown (2005); Bailey and Russell (2010); Chen and Chen (2011); Lepp (2008); Lo and Lee (2011); Palacios, (2010) and Wickens (2011).
#10 Greater awareness of ‘self’
A number of academics have recognised that the most beneficial aspect of the volunteer tourism experience is the greater awareness of ‘self’.
Volunteer tourism is a unique form of tourism that allows tourists to push their physical and emotional limits and go beyond the superficial interactions that travel is often restricted to.
Volunteer tourists often discover things about themselves that they did not know, contributing to the personal growth and development discussed above.
#11 Enhanced citizenship
Volunteer tourism connects groups of people together who would not necessarily have been grouped together without the role of volunteering. Interaction between volunteers and hosts helps to build social bridges and a role like this develops important citizen qualities in volunteers.
In an article, “Giving and volunteering as distinct forms of civic engagement”, Kelly S. Jones explains how voluntary projects induce people to frequently participate in public concerns and exposes them to a wider pool of shared problems, thus encouraging enhanced citizenship.
Through voluntary work, people begin to understand the needs of communities and the importance of community involvement, both qualities that mirror enhanced citizenship.
#12 Opportunity to do/see something fun and exotic
Another well documented benefit of volunteer tourism is to ‘have fun’.
Volunteer tourism frequently provides the opportunity to do or see something fun and exotic. Volunteering and travelling offers a break from the day-to-day routine and get involved in projects that excite you or spend time travelling and sightseeing.
For example, volunteers based in a city such as Buenos Aires may explore the city’s sights and nightlife, watch a football match or take a short trip to Iguazu Falls alongside their volunteer work. Opportunities for fun vary between placements and locations, but there is usually something to enjoy.
#13 Enhanced level of self-criticism
Self-criticism is how an individual evaluates themselves and their actions.
As documented in Sin’s (2009) research, during and after volunteering projects volunteers may begin to consciously aspire to be the best they can be, and to reflect more carefully on their actions and their impacts.
For more on self-criticism, see Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice by Robert Firestone.
#14 Self-satisfaction and desire to change
Following on from point number 13, volunteering your time and skills to help those in need brings many rewards. This can bring with it feelings of self-satisfaction.
Many people will also demonstrate a desire to change as a person. They may be more willing to give and support others than they were before they completed their volunteering project and become more philanthropic in nature. This is another one of the benefits of volunteer tourism.
#15 Enhanced spiritualism
Many volunteers report that volunteering gives them a sense of meaning and purpose and a more positive outlook on life, which some describe as spiritual growth.
As demonstrated in Zahra’s (2006) work, volunteering can also enhance creativity, motivation and vision that is reflected in volunteers’ personal and professional life.
For more on spirituality outside religion, see Waking Up: Searching for Spirituality Without Religion by Sam Harris.
#16 Positive personality changes
Witnessing the struggles of others first-hand can make volunteers more grateful and appreciative, encouraging a more positive outlook on life.
Volunteering helps people to connect with others, and research has linked it to reduced loneliness and lower rates of depression.
Doing something meaningful can make people feel better about themselves and more positive about life.
#17 Relaxation
As well as volunteering creating positive personality changes, volunteering also helps tackle the effects of stress and anxiety.
Volunteer tourism can be fun and meaningful, and allows people to escape from their daily routine. A 2013 systematic review published in BMC Public Health found that volunteering was associated with lower depression, better wellbeing and lower mortality. This is another one of the prominent benefits of volunteer tourism.
#18 To have a greater understanding of the host community
Volunteer tourism provides a greater understanding of the host country.
Unlike other forms of tourism, volunteer tourism allows volunteers to immerse themselves in the culture and community of the host community.
The personal interaction between the volunteer tourist and the host community provides a very different insight into the host country than most tourists receive.
#19 Increase desire to ‘give’
Volunteering is a charitable act of giving and helps people to understand the importance of helping others.
When volunteers see how their efforts can have a positive impact to the host community and on their own wellbeing, their desire to ‘give’ increases.
In fact, many people become more ‘giving’ in their nature after completing a volunteer tourism placement.
#20 Opportunity to achieve training and/or qualifications
For some, volunteering is a simple means to achieve training and/or qualifications.
Some volunteering roles allow people to gain vocational qualifications based on their practical experience, for example in first aid, social care, youth work, advice and guidance or management of volunteers.
Some charities, such as Claire House, support volunteers to gain qualifications while volunteering.
Another popular qualification to gain whilst partaking in a volunteer tourism project is a TEFL qualification. These come in a range of sizes and approaches and can be classroom-based or online. LetsTEFL provides more information on these qualifications, along with fees, durations etc.
Video: What is volunteer tourism? The pros and cons
Conclusion: The benefits of volunteer tourism
There are countless reasons to volunteer that provide benefits to the tourist, many of which reflect a positive outlook on life and a greater understanding and value of social relationships. It is clear volunteer tourism can have a positive impact on wellbeing and day-to-day activities in many cases and this is well documented throughout the academic literature.
Benefits of volunteer tourism: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about benefits of volunteer tourism.
What are the benefits of volunteer tourism?
Benefits for volunteers include developing skills, improving employability, cultural immersion, personal growth, self-awareness, education, new relationships and improved wellbeing.
Does volunteering abroad help your career?
It can. Volunteering develops transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving, and surveys suggest many employers value volunteering experience.
Is volunteer tourism cheaper than a normal holiday?
Not necessarily. Programme fees can be high, but they often include accommodation and meals, so additional costs in-country can be low.
Can you gain qualifications through volunteering?
Yes. Some volunteering roles offer vocational qualifications, and many volunteer teachers gain a TEFL qualification.
Is volunteering good for mental health?
Research, including a 2013 review in BMC Public Health, has linked volunteering with lower depression and better wellbeing.
Further reading on volunteer tourism
Useful academic texts include Volunteer Tourism: Experiences That Make a Difference and International Volunteer Tourism: Integrating Travellers and Communities by Stephen Wearing, Volunteer Tourism edited by Angela Benson, Volunteer Tourism: Popular Humanitarianism in Neoliberal Times by Mary Mostafanezhad and Volunteer Tourism in the Global South by Wanda Vrasti. More accessible reads include Lonely Planet’s Volunteer and Shannon O’Donnell’s The Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook. If you found this article helpful, the following posts may also be of interest:
- A definition of volunteer tourism
- The reasons why people volunteer
- Positive impacts of volunteer tourism
- Negative impacts of volunteer tourism
- 10 things to consider before booking a volunteer tourism trip
- The commodification of volunteer tourism
