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VOLUNTEER TOURISM, ECONOMIC IMPACTS & HOST COMMUNITIES: CAN WE DO BETTER?
Kristin M. Lamoureux, Ph.D.The George Washington University
International Institute of Tourism [email protected]
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GENERAL STATISTICS
Tourism Overall• International Tourism Receipts - $909billion in
2010 (UNWTO, 2011)
Adventure Tourism (including Volunteer Tourism)• Value of global adventure market - $89billion (ATTA, 2010)
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VOLUNTEER STATISTICS
•Global volunteering – increasing•US Volunteers in general = $169M in 2009 (Independent Sector, 2011)•US Volunteers Abroad = $2.92billion in 2005 (Lough, McBride & Sherradan, 2007)•US National Parks: Mt. Rainer NP – Volunteers contributed $1.36M in 2007-08 to NPS’ operations in Mt. Rainer (Holmes & Smith)
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VOLUNTEER TOURISM NEEDS
Volunteer Tourism Differ…• Clarity – volunteer tourists want to see where their money is going and how it is really helping the community (Michel & Mille, 2010)
• Interaction – want a closer, more meaningful interaction with host communities (ATTA, 2010)
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WHY IS THIS TYPE OF TOURISM ATTRACTIVE TO A DESTINATION?
• Represents a potentially important market segment for emerging destinations
• Visitors contribute directly to the destination• Generally do not need well developed infrastructure• Pay for their experience• Beyond their work/research, also spend time
traveling• Provide very valuable word-of-mouth exposure• Use on-line social networks extensively• Skilled volunteers or non-volunteers provide services
not available (ex. Doctors, architects, scientists)
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TOURISM IMPACTS – ON THE GROUND
Research on spending – scarce
•Volunteer Tourists may “spend less money than other tourists and have a smaller impact” Gray & Campbell, 2007
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WHAT IS ECONOMIC IMPACT TO DESTINATIONS?
•Not easy to quantify•Who is “the community”?•Equal distribution versus select partnerships•Can we really “involve” them?•Few good examples - HFH
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EX. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity’s Economic Impact in South Dakota• 2009 – HFH built 326 homes in South Dakota.• Homes valued at $35 million.• Habitat affiliates purchased over $23M in goods & services to complete the construction of these homes.• Direct Impact to SD economy over $150.8 million.• Volunteer investment in local communities per year is over $1.6K.• HFH Homeowners paid over $466,000 in property taxes.http://habitatsouthdakota.org/about_us/news.php?ID=37
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TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Developing Countries: small businesses in most developing nations have a number of constraints which keep them from being able to fully access lucrative domestic and international tourism markets. Supported tourism can assist.
Tourism Arrivals/Spending• Opportunities for economic
growth• Cultural Exchange• Investment
Small Business Development• Lack access to tourism markets• Need training/capacity building
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DESTINATION MODELS
•Egypt – Friends of Volunteer Tourism Egypt•Honduras – SAVE Center• Bulgaria – SAVE Travel Center in Smolyan•Uganda – Volunteer Support Network
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EGYPT
Friends of Volunteer Tourism EgyptLocal partnership•Inbound tour operators & Non-governmental organizations•Build capacity•Joint marketing and support•Product Development
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PHASING OF STRATEGY
• Identify Opportunities
Assessment
• Standards• Skill
development
Capacity Building • Product
enhancement
Product Development
• Outreach to markets
Marketing
Partnership between the Stakeholders
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SAVE TOURISM
Scientific • Researchers &
volunteers participating in field studies
Academic• Students/
teachers undertaking travel for academic credit
Volunteer• Growing market
of “Voluntourism”
Educational • Travelers desiring
a hands-on experiential learning experience
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Dominican Republic: Puerto Plata portal, community tourism enterprise development & visitor center design
Northern Morocco: Tourism product development &SAVE market in rural communities
Montenegro: : Sustainable tourism development : Durmitor World Heritage Site.
Panama: Rapid Assessment & market analysis of the sustainable tourism potential for Soberinia National Park and Panama City.
Guatemala: Marketing & communication strategy for Lake Atlican
Honduras: SAVE strategy and product development
Northern Mozambique: Trip circuits & management information system.
Ethiopia: community capacity building & small business development
Indonesia: Volunteer-based skills transfer program
LAO PDR: Protected area research & training center
Bulgaria: SAVE Center in collaboration with municipality In Rodolpe Mtns
SAVE Alliance Activities
Southern Africa: African slave wrecks & heritage route development
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SAVE MODEL
Preliminary identification of potential destinations and assessment of their assets, needs, level of readiness
Education, capacity building and specialized training targeting specific stakeholders as well as the local community –Volunteer Sending Organizations (VSOs)Identification of appropriate intermediaries and organization of familiarization trips and assessment activities—Volunteer Receiving Organizations (VROs)
Establishment of a SAVE Network & Center to coordinate all SAVE travel-related activities at selected destinations.
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SAVE TRAVEL CENTER - BULGARIA
The vision for the SAVE Center is that it will be a leading force for the economic growth of the region through sustainable travel, a contributor to the diversification of the country’s travel portfolio and image, and a model for SAVE centers around the world.
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SAVE CENTER - BULGARIA
Purpose1. To facilitate the development of SAVE travel
products based on current and potential assets 2. To serve as a local cultural and crafts center3. To service SAVE market groups and facilitate the
Packaging of relevant products
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SAVE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Volunteer
Receiving
Organizations
Volunteer
Sending Organizations
SAVE
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UGANDA– BEST PRACTICESVolunteerSupportNetwork
Uganda
•Local leadership, knowledge, and expertise is vital.
•Easily accessible and available for volunteers.
Local office & staff
•Partner with small number of thoroughly vetted projects to ensure quality.
•Volunteer-receiving organizations have clearly demonstrated need.
Small scale
•Organization’s directors and staff have ties with respected NGO’s.
•Directors are also recognized by the national government.
Positive reputation
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CONCLUSION & FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
Academic Research Needed
Alternative Models?
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QUESTIONS???