The societal impact of a volunteer tourism project Aldea Yanapay
Kuronen, Tanja (2016)
Kuronen, Tanja
Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201604204666
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201604204666
Tiivistelmä
Volunteer tourism is a fast growing trend and demand for volunteering projects is increasing. While many studies has been done to map the motives, needs and wishes of the volunteer, very little has been taken into account the community point of view in volunteering.
The goal of this thesis was to find out the benefits as well as challenges of the volunteer tourism in the receiving community’s point of view. The research has been conducted as a case study, limiting it to one particular volunteering project. Also related articles has been used to compare results.
Observation and interview were chosen as research methods for this research and were conducted by taking part in the chosen project in Peru for six weeks period in November and December 2015.
As result was found that the chosen project had very limited effect to the community as it was only one small project in a big city. Although the effects that it did have were very positive to the children and their families.
The chosen project was an example of a responsible and genuine project as it put the community’s needs before the volunteers. In the related articles was presented some cases with some more challenges.
As a conclusion volunteer projects cannot be generalized as they are all unique and different. It is important for volunteers to do their background checks when choosing the volunteering project.
The goal of this thesis was to find out the benefits as well as challenges of the volunteer tourism in the receiving community’s point of view. The research has been conducted as a case study, limiting it to one particular volunteering project. Also related articles has been used to compare results.
Observation and interview were chosen as research methods for this research and were conducted by taking part in the chosen project in Peru for six weeks period in November and December 2015.
As result was found that the chosen project had very limited effect to the community as it was only one small project in a big city. Although the effects that it did have were very positive to the children and their families.
The chosen project was an example of a responsible and genuine project as it put the community’s needs before the volunteers. In the related articles was presented some cases with some more challenges.
As a conclusion volunteer projects cannot be generalized as they are all unique and different. It is important for volunteers to do their background checks when choosing the volunteering project.