This article explains the reasons why volunteering might not benefit volunteers as much as they expect, focusing on the negative impacts of volunteer tourism for the volunteer.
Volunteer tourism can be viewed as a form of tourism incorporating volunteer services. It attracts tourists who want an experience that contributes to their personal development while also having a positive impact on the social, natural and economic environments in which they are hosted. Volunteer tourism meets the needs of those who prefer to travel with a purpose and is often associated heavily with niche tourism for those who seek a different experience. Visit this post for a more detailed explanation and definition of volunteer tourism.
As the volunteer tourism industry grows, volunteer motivations are changing. In the past, reasons may have been predominantly altruism-based; however, research suggests more self-interested motivations among many volunteer tourists. This has changed the face of the industry and brings with it a range of associated impacts for both the host and volunteers. Thus, it is important to consider the positive and negative impacts of volunteer tourism on the volunteer, as much as it is on the host.
Although motivations differ, there are several reasons why volunteering might not benefit the volunteer as much as expected. For more on motivations, see the reasons why people volunteer.
While there are many benefits of volunteer tourism, a growing body of literature highlights its negative impacts.
Below are 15 documented reasons why volunteering might not benefit volunteers as much as they think, drawn from a range of academic studies.
#1 Limited benefits due to the short longevity of volunteer placement
Volunteer tourism placements are often short, typically lasting around two weeks. In such a short time, volunteers have little opportunity to develop skills or relationships, so the personal benefits may be limited.
#2 Culture shock
The second noteworthy negative impact of volunteer tourism is culture shock.
Tourists often commit to volunteer programmes with little understanding and knowledge of the community’s culture, history and way of life. This can lead to a culture shock when volunteers are required to immerse themselves fully for the length of the volunteer programme.
#3 Not being able to see where their money has been spent
Volunteer programmes can be expensive: research by the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (ATLAS) and Tourism Research and Marketing (TRAM) estimated typical programme costs of around £2,000, and many programmes today cost considerably more once flights are included.
During the programme volunteers are involved in hands-on work, but they often cannot see where their programme fees are being spent. This is discussed further in the article on the commodification of volunteer tourism.
#4 Experience given not matching expectations
A small number of studies have identified the dissatisfaction expressed by volunteers when their placement expectations have not been met.
Coren and Gray’s work discovered this feeling of dissatisfaction when volunteers became aware that the money they paid for their placements had not reached the communities in which they were led to believe it would.
Other volunteers report finding that their placement involves far fewer hours of meaningful work than expected, with much of their time spent socialising with other volunteers rather than supporting the community.
#5 Marketing material not reflective of actual experience
Volunteer projects are heavily marketed to attract volunteers, but in some cases the marketing material of programmes is not a true reflection of the actual experience.
In fact, many volunteer tourism organisations invoke images and rhetoric of tourism far more than they do of volunteering! This gives the perception that aspects such as relaxing on the beach or visiting local tourist attractions may be a more significant promotion of the volunteer tourism experience than they actually are.
#6 Volunteers unaware of what ‘difference’ they have made
Another one of the key negative impacts of volunteer tourism is that volunteers may be unaware of the ‘difference that they have made’.
Because volunteer programmes are predominantly short and last around two weeks or less, volunteer tourists may not be able to see any tangible results from their efforts.
This is often because any benefits are long-term rather than immediate. Similarly to #3, when volunteers cannot see where their money has been spent, they cannot see what difference they have made.
#7 A feeling of awkwardness when locals are viewed as inferior to volunteers by the host population
During volunteer programmes cultures come together in a way that would not otherwise emerge without the act of volunteering programmes.
Volunteer tourists are predominantly from developed countries and therefore have very different lifestyles to those of the host community. This can lead to unequal power relations which can leave volunteers feeling uncomfortable. It can also cause resentment or dissatisfaction from the local population.
Christian, a member of an international volunteering organisation in Ghana, describes volunteer tourists as “entitled young rich people who are convinced they can save Africa”. Volunteers who see themselves as the only source of help can, without intending to, make local people feel inferior.
#8 Role ambiguity
Another one of the negative impacts of volunteer tourism is the notion of role ambiguity. This is because exactly what volunteers will be doing during the programme can appear fairly vague to the volunteer tourist.
For example, take a look at a volunteer programme description from Projects Abroad
“As a volunteer, you’ll become part of our ongoing efforts to support children in Cambodia. You’ll do this by planning and running fun, educational activities to promote early childhood development. For example, you can play a ball game to help kids improve their hand-eye coordination.”
Programme descriptions can be unclear about exactly what volunteers will be required to do, and on arrival their expectations may not be met.
#9 Cross-cultural misunderstanding
As noted above, volunteer tourism brings together cultures that might not otherwise connect.
Volunteers often travel to volunteer programmes with little knowledge and understanding of the hosts culture and vice versa. This can result in cross-cultural misunderstanding and therefore make the experience somewhat awkward and challenging for the volunteer.
Cross-cultural misunderstanding can also cause issues with regards to the local community. Tourists may unintentionally cause offence or be rude, due to a lack of understanding of the local culture. This is commonly seen, for example, in the Middle East when tourists wear revealing clothing or in many Asian destinations when tourists do not remove their shoes indoors.
#10 The need for volunteers is simulated
In severe cases the need for volunteers may be simulated.
Investigations by journalists and child protection organisations such as Lumos have found that many children in orphanages in countries such as Cambodia and Nepal have living parents, and that some have been deliberately separated from their families to attract volunteers and donations. Many governments and organisations now advise against orphanage volunteering altogether.
#11 Unauthentic experience
Volunteers benefit through the feeling that they have made a difference, but it can appear some programmes are staged in some shape or form and in fact inauthentic. As mentioned above, the need for volunteers is simulated and thus creates unauthentic experiences for the volunteers.
#12 Feeling unneeded or ‘unused’
There may be too many volunteers in one voluntary programme and therefore volunteers may feel as if they are ‘getting in the way’ or not helping as much as they had hoped. Their skills may also not be used to their full potential.
#13 Language barriers
Similarly to cultural misunderstandings, a lack of shared language between volunteers and the host community can make communication difficult, leading to misunderstandings and feelings of awkwardness.
#14 Physical hardship (insects, lack of sleep, physical exertion etc)
Volunteering can be a very emotional challenge for some, having to witness the hardship others in the world suffer daily, but also for the volunteers, there is the encounter of physical hardship.
Volunteers need to prepare mentally for different living conditions, a higher chance of falling ill, lack of sleep and physical exertion.
#15 Lack of amenities/activities
Communities that need help typically have fewer resources, and this also means a lack of amenities and activities for the volunteers. Most commonly, there are fewer resources, health facilities, food service and more as well as excursions and other activities that volunteers might want to do in their time away from the volunteer project.
Conclusion: The negative impacts of volunteer tourism
As the volunteer tourism industry grows, a more critical view of the industry has emerged in academic discussion. It is important to highlight the negative impacts of volunteer tourism to the volunteer as much as it is to the host.
And although there are countless benefits of volunteering, it is important not to ignore the negative impacts that also arise. However, by understanding the negative impacts of volunteer tourism, volunteers can be more mindful and critical when choosing the right volunteer programme.
Video: What is volunteer tourism? The pros and cons
Negative impacts of volunteer tourism: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about negative impacts of volunteer tourism.
What are the negative impacts of volunteer tourism for volunteers?
Negative impacts for volunteers include culture shock, unmet expectations, role ambiguity, language barriers, physical hardship, feeling unneeded and not knowing what difference they have made.
Why is short-term volunteering criticised?
Short placements of around two weeks give volunteers little time to contribute meaningfully, and constant turnover can disrupt communities and children.
How much does volunteer tourism cost?
Programme fees vary widely, but research has estimated typical costs of around £2,000, and many programmes cost more once flights and insurance are included.
What is orphanage tourism?
Orphanage tourism involves volunteering in or visiting orphanages. It is widely discouraged because it can fuel the separation of children from their families and child trafficking.
How can volunteers avoid negative impacts?
Volunteers can research organisations carefully, choose longer, community-led projects that match their skills, learn about the local culture and avoid projects involving vulnerable children.
Further reading on volunteer tourism
Recommended books on this topic:
- Volunteer Tourism (Contemporary Geographies of Leisure, Tourism and Mobility)
- Volunteer Tourism (New Directions in Tourism Analysis)
- Wandering the World Doing Good: A Senior Volunteer Saves the World
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
- Benefits of volunteer tourism
- Positive impacts of volunteer tourism
- 10 things to consider before booking a volunteer tourism trip
- The commodification of volunteer tourism
- Negative impacts of volunteer tourism for host communities
