The benefits and drawbacks of volunteer tourism (eBook)

Essay from the year 2021 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Other, grade: 1,7, University of Applied Sciences Wernigerode (International Tourism Studies), course: Academic Writing, language: English, abstract: I always believed that volunteer tourism is primarily connected with opportunities. Building schools and helping after catastrophes sounds like an admirable way to benefit communities, right? Unfortunately, that is not the reality because the more case studies I read, the more uncomfortable I became thinking in that specific way. Until then, I was not aware of the wide range of risks and that they are mostly associated with the voluntourist - which was completely surprising because the intention is to make a significant change.

The turning point was during a study in which I read about the booming number of orphanages in the voluntourism sector. Who would believe that 92 percent of children in orphanages in Sri Lanka; and even 98 percent of so-called orphans in Liberia have at least one living parent? And this terrifying trend is constantly growing because of running a profitable business. This also points to sexual abuse as a driving moneymaker in orphanages. That's the reason why my interest constantly grew, and I became more sceptical than I could ever imagine; but awareness is essential, especially as a student studying international tourism.