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Volunteer Tourism, Economic Impacts & Host Communities: Can we do better?. Kristin M. Lamoureux, Ph.D. The George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies klam@gwu.edu. General Statistics. Tourism Overall
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Volunteer Tourism, Economic Impacts & Host Communities: Can we do better? Kristin M. Lamoureux, Ph.D. The George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies klam@gwu.edu
General Statistics Tourism Overall • International Tourism Receipts - $909billion in 2010 (UNWTO, 2011) Adventure Tourism (includingVolunteer Tourism) Value of global adventuremarket - $89billion (ATTA, 2010)
Volunteer Statistics Global volunteering – increasing US Volunteers in general = $169M in 2009 (Independent Sector, 2011) US Volunteers Abroad = $2.92billion in 2005 (Lough, McBride & Sherradan, 2007) US National Parks: Mt. Rainer NP – Volunteers contributed $1.36M in 2007-08 to NPS’ operations in Mt. Rainer (Holmes & Smith)
Volunteer Tourism Needs Volunteer Tourism Differ… Clarity – volunteer tourists want to see where their money is going and how it is really helping the community (Michel & Mille, 2010) • Interaction – want a closer, more meaningful interaction with host communities (ATTA, 2010)
Why is this type of Tourism Attractive to a Destination? • Represents a potentially important market segment for emerging destinations • Visitors contribute directly to the destination • Generally do not need well developed infrastructure • Pay for their experience • Beyond their work/research, also spend time traveling • Provide very valuable word-of-mouth exposure • Use on-line social networks extensively • Skilled volunteers or non-volunteers provide services not available (ex. Doctors, architects, scientists)
Tourism Impacts – on the ground Research on spending – scarce Volunteer Tourists may “spend less money than other tourists and have a smaller impact” Gray & Campbell, 2007
WhatisEconomicImpacttoDestinations? Not easy to quantify Who is “the community”? Equal distribution versus select partnerships Can we really “involve” them? Few good examples - HFH
Ex. Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity’s Economic Impact in South Dakota• 2009 – HFH built 326 homes in South Dakota.• Homes valued at $35 million.• Habitat affiliates purchased over $23M in goods & services to complete the construction of these homes.• Direct Impact to SD economy over $150.8 million.• Volunteer investment in local communities per year is over $1.6K.• HFH Homeowners paid over $466,000 in property taxes. http://habitatsouthdakota.org/about_us/news.php?ID=37
Tourism Development Developing Countries: small businesses in most developing nations have a number of constraints which keep them from being able to fully access lucrative domestic and international tourism markets. Supported tourism can assist.
Destination Models Egypt – Friends of Volunteer Tourism Egypt Honduras – SAVE Center Bulgaria – SAVE Travel Center in Smolyan Uganda – Volunteer Support Network
Egypt Friends of Volunteer Tourism Egypt Local partnership Inbound tour operators & Non-governmental organizations Build capacity Joint marketing and support Product Development
Phasing of StrategY Partnership between the Stakeholders
SAVE Alliance Activities Northern Morocco: Tourism product development &SAVE market in rural communities Dominican Republic: Puerto Plata portal, community tourism enterprise development & visitor center design Montenegro: : Sustainable tourism development : Durmitor World Heritage Site. Bulgaria: SAVE Center in collaboration with municipality In Rodolpe Mtns LAO PDR: Protected area research & training center Guatemala: Marketing & communication strategy for Lake Atlican Indonesia: Volunteer-based skills transfer program Northern Mozambique: Trip circuits & management information system. Southern Africa: African slave wrecks & heritage route development Panama: Rapid Assessment & market analysis of the sustainable tourism potential for Soberinia National Park and Panama City. Ethiopia: community capacity building & small business development Honduras: SAVE strategy and product development
SAVE Travel Center - Bulgaria The vision for the SAVE Center is that it will be a leading force for the economic growth of the region through sustainable travel, a contributor to the diversification of the country’s travel portfolio and image, and a model for SAVE centers around the world.
Save Center - Bulgaria Purpose To facilitate the development of SAVE travel products based on current and potential assets To serve as a local cultural and crafts center To service SAVE market groups and facilitate the Packaging of relevant products
Uganda– Best Practices Volunteer Support Network Uganda
Conclusion & Future Possibilities Academic Research Needed Alternative Models?