“of little net benefit”?
BACKPACKERS
“stay longer, travel further, and spend more than any other type of tourist” Australian Tourism Commission
● 579,000 backpackers will visit Australia in 2013
● AUS$5759 each
●AUS$3.3 billion
BACKPACKERS
Definitions of Tourism
● Who sets the terms of that 'lease'?
● Who collects the rent?
● Who is responsible for the upkeep of the property?
“The short-term leasing of other people's environments for the purpose of leisure”
Definitions of Voluntourism
“The short-term leasing of other people's problems for the purpose of... what?”
● ...getting a good Facebook profile pic?
● …giving something back on my gap-year?
● ...helping?
● ...feeling good about myself?
● ...enhancing my CV?
The Issues1. Charity?
2. Your CV, or theirs?
3. With Best Intentions
4. Are we really providing solutions?
‘A high turnover of caregivers has been shown to negatively impact
children in care who must repeatedly try to form emotional
connections with different adults.’
So, should we volunteer?
Who is matching the desire with the need?
YES!
Dear Voluntourism
Organisations...
Dear Volunteers
...
The Good News!
Who are the real change agents?
Getting the word out
morethanfootprints.com/itb
