A mixed-methods study on the values and motivations of voluntourists

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this theoretically grounded mixed-methods study, we explored the motivational values of voluntourists and examined the perceived impacts of voluntourism programmes. Surveys suggested that voluntourists (n = 82) had high self-transcendence (universalism and benevolence) and self-direction (freedom in thought and action) values. Eleven retrospective interviews with young adult voluntourists also suggested that participants were primarily driven to both benefit the host community and promote personal learning. Although participants gained personal learning and growth, they felt frustrated by voluntourism's limited benefits to host communities. Additionally, social justice education that participants received after the experience led participants to become more critical of voluntourism. Together, this research describes a subset of unskilled, well-intentioned, and self-transcendent voluntourists and provides recommendations on how voluntourism providers may better meet their needs and create more sustainable voluntourism programmes. Furthermore, we demonstrate how values research and retrospective interviews can deepen our understanding of both the experiences and perceived personal impacts of voluntourism.