VolunTourism

Posted by Aylee

November 1, 2007

VolunTourism = Volunteer Tourism

I know how busy we usually are and it is hard as it is to get a vacation, a break from it all. And on vacations, we usually just want to relax our mind and body. But what if you are given the chance to spend a day or two of your vacation to do something good? It can be a very rewarding and fulfilling experience.

VolunTourism is fast becoming a trend in the travel industry. Based on the latest data, the percentage of travelers who are planning to volunteer has risen from 6% to 11% this year.

The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) highlighted this growing trend as far back as 2005, when it spotlighted an annual National Public Lands Day event that saw nearly 100,000 volunteers head to our National Parks to build bridges and trails, plant trees, remove invasive plants and generally behave in a manner that would have made Teddy Roosevelt proud.

~ A. Dalton, ForbesTraveler.com

I was looking through a list of VolunTourism, and the Annual Aruba Reef Care Project is something John and I would love to do.

The 2007 project has passed (July 7-8, 2007). So we’re looking forward to either next year or 2009.

Travel

4 Comments

You could organize a project like that for the Pisay 96 Outreach programs… Kaso ilan kaya divers sa batch?

Comment by Joan on November 5, 2007 @ 9:34 pm

Oo nga noh! I totally forgot about our outreach programs. I even asked Michelle if she can organize one when I go home. She dives too. I know a few more from our batch who do as well.

Comment by aylee on November 5, 2007 @ 11:50 pm

I would love to take part in some type of voluntourism – that sounds similar to a church mission trip except in some exotic location. I suppose I would find it difficult to think I was really ‘making a difference’ going somewhere as beautiful (and I assume rich) as Aruba and cleaning up instead of somewhere that is poor and would need it more. It seems like going to Bill Gates’ house and offering to help out.

Comment by perros on November 6, 2007 @ 9:13 pm

Hi Perros… it is great that there are people like you who want to make a difference. I would love to hear some of your journeys and contributions.

Comment by aylee on November 7, 2007 @ 12:24 am