The Phenomenon of Volunteer Tourism within the Tourism Industry

Abstract

This review analyzes the present status of 'volunteer tourism' as a contemporary phenomenon and field of research. The basis of the review is founded on themes introduced more than a decade ago in "Volunteer Tourism": Experiences That Make a Difference (Wearing, 2001). The article commences by examining the rapid expansion of volunteer tourism in both academic research and practical application. It then scrutinizes the existing literature through a multi-stage framework that mirrors the volunteer tourism procedure. The paper comprehensively analyzes existing research on pre-trip motivations, volunteer tourism experience, and post-trip reflections and transformations. It specifically examines the role of volunteer tourism organizations and the community in facilitating the volunteer tourism experience. The conclusions of the study comprise suggestions for potential avenues of future research.