The industry for combining volunteering with travel (or ‘voluntourism’) is booming. But the sector is also controversial, accused of irresponsibility promoting the idea that tourists can make a real difference to development by spending a few weeks of their time at a project.

Pro voluntourism

• no one else is there 'to make a difference'
• volunteers stimulate local income by spending their money in local communities, hostels, restaurants, tour companies etc.
• volunteers return from their trip to 'spread the word'
• by voluntourism (young) people develop global and intercultural competencies, to be used at (future) jobs in socially involved companies

Against voluntourism

• volunteers do the work that other local people can and/or should do
• voluntourism hinders (local) government to facilitate real development programs
• volunteers have little or no experience in the work they are carrying out
• volunteers should donate their money into projects, instead of spending their money on flights, insurances and hotels

Share your thoughts

• what is your idea on voluntourism? Do you have other "pro's" or "con's"?
• in what way(s) should voluntourism be organized to have a positive effect on local communities?
• is it achievable at all to stop young people travelling around the world to help out other (young) people?
• what are ethical considerations a volunteer should be aware of when choosing to go on a volunteer trip?