An Overview

There are several VolunTourism models that are being utilized by Nonprofits & NGOs the world over. These models have been developed primarily from the goals and objectives that each entity has established for itself, while honoring its constituents and stakeholders. Organizations may focus upon any of the following:

• Long-term sustainability and revenue-generation
• Risk mitigation & development diversification
• Donor familiarization & cultivation
• Collaboration & partnership
• General education & awareness

When the primary purpose of your VolunTourism initiative is established, then you can determine what audience you will wish to target with your promotional efforts. Obviously, there are those organizations that decide to target a certain age group or financial demographic. Others direct their efforts toward a particular type of travel - cycling, for example - as a draw for a specific clientele. Two such nonprofits that target this contingency are the PepyRide and Bike & Build. With some, like Globe Aware and Los Niños, the idea is to create a balance of voluntary service and travel within each itinerary.

Once you have selected a VolunTourism model that supports your goals and objectives, you are ready to begin a cycle of your own - the perpetual cycle of implementation, evaluation and modification. Improvement will derive from the sincerity of your efforts to follow a steady diet of these three elements and to receive and make use of input from all stakeholders as they respond to each facet of your VolunTourism program.

You may also wish to review a recent article published on the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration web site. Christina Heyniger, Founder of Xola Consulting, and Kristin Lamoureux, Director of The George Washington University's International Institute of Tourism Studies, are the authors of a recent study on Adventure Travel and Volunteering.

For additional resources, look to archives of The VolunTourist and other sections of this website. Should you have in-depth questions about how to approach VolunTourism as a Nonprofit or NGO, feel free to contact us.

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THE VOLUNTOURIST - Past Webcasts for Nonprofits & NGOs

Randy Punley, MSW, Director, Cor-porate & Media Partnerships, United Way of America Volunteer Vacations & VolunTourism - April 1, 2008 Synopsis What is a Volunteer Vacation? What are the primary reasons for offering these types of trips? How do Volunteer Vacations and VolunTourism relate to one another? Guests address these topics and discuss others during this episode of The VolunTourist. [Listen To The Webcast] (Click Here To Download) Guests Theresa Higgs, M.A., Director of International Programs, United Planet; Paul Jones, North American Regional Manager, Global Vision International; Randy Punley, MSW, Director, Corporate & Media Partnerships, United Way of America. Arday Ardayfio, Founder The Ghana Computer Project at Quantum Connections Nonprofits & VolunTourism - December 11, 2007 Synopsis What are nonprofit organizations doing in order to become more connected to VolunTourism? What collaborations are they forming with tour operators and suppliers? How are they utilizing VolunTourism as a revenue generator? Guests address these topics and discuss others during this episode of The VolunTourist. [Listen To The Webcast] (Click Here To Download) Guests Arday Ardayfio, Founder, The Ghana Computer Project at Quantum Connections [Bio]; Kellie Bentz, Executive Director, of Hands On New Orleans [Bio]. Suggested Readings From The VolunTourist Newsletter VolunTourism & The Millennium Development Goals - Part I - This article offers suggestions on how VolunTourism may support organizations in achieving some of the Millennium Development Goals. The Social Enterprise Model For VolunTourism - If, as a nonprofit, you are trying to determine whether to use VolunTourism as a social enterprise venture, this article will give you some insight as to the pros and cons of this strategy. The Familiarization VolunTourism Model - In this article on Familiarization Trips, the discussion includes how crafting a VolunTourism experience for donors can be an excellent approach. Wisdom & Insight - This article features comments from Mary Merrill who takes a look at why nonprofit organizations may be hesitant to address anything that has the word "tourism" associated with it, including VolunTourism.