What is Voluntourism and why should I care?
Unfortunately, some "volunteer travel" programs are not all that they're cracked up to be and some have ended up being downright scams. Given some of the bad press and bad actors, why get into this at all? Well, the short answer is it's worth it, for you and your clients. Your clients have a travel need where subject expertise is a high value which means this is a perfect opportunity for travel professionals.
Why Include Voluntourism in Your Offerings?
A theme I repeatedly discuss with travel professionals and clients is the desire to create once in a lifetime experiences. There is no doubt that when done right with the right partners, your clients will achieve that goal when service is part of their travel.
Also, don't forget the business perspective. Voluntourism is also one of the best forms of group travel which is more profitable as a repeatable trip for the same or new groups.
Who's Your Potential Client?
Like most group travel, your potential clients can come from everywhere. The obvious targets would be churches, schools, and civic groups but don't leave out families and businesses when discussing this as an option.
Studies show that Baby Boomers as well as the X, Y, & Millennial generations all have a strong desire to serve and understand other cultures.
Businesses who utilize incentive travel also seek to integrate their community service goals, and voluntourism meets all of these objectives perfectly.
How to Get Started.
Like every type of travel or destination, you need to do the appropriate research and get the experience needed to be an expert in the marketplace. For voluntourism research, you can reach directly out to the non-profits themselves or utilize sites like voluntorism.org. Like other travel, a fam is also a great tool for personal experience.
My firm, TA Fams, has just added our very first fam that includes a day with a volunteer organization. The expectation is that like traditional tourism, this will allow the travel agents to offer first-hand experiences as a guide for their clients. We hope to expand this type of fam in the future.
Our first fam with a service element is with Kisa Safaris of Uganda, whose founder Moses Muwanguzi also founded a non-profit organization that works on projects to educate impoverished children called Omuto.
Like voluntourism travelers, Moses puts his money where his mouth is by donating 10% of all moneys made from client tours to Omuto. For those interested, he will include a visit to the school and offer opportunities for visitors to work or just interact with those who are benefiting from the funding coming from their tour.
Giving Back is Good Business
Being in a service industry means we make our livings by helping others every day. Everyone has given away discounts or travel to help someone in need. That's why it should be no surprise that others find value in being able to use their abilities and resources to help others. In no small way, you can be a part of the giving chain by empowering your clients to give as they enjoy the fruits of their labor.
