Sofya Shahab reports from an Ethical Tourism Master-class run by UK charity, Tourism Concern, to discover how we can become more conscientious travellers…

Travel broadens the mind, creates new experiences, pushes you to extremes, and enables you to make new friends - but what do host communities receive in exchange?

Tourism Concern are a UK charity working to eradicate exploitation within the industry and ensure that all parties benefit equally. I went along to their Ethical Tourism Master-class to discover how we can become conscientious travellers…

'... be aware that just because you can speak English doesn’t mean that you will be good at teaching it. If you wouldn’t be allowed to do something in the UK should you really have the right to do so abroad?'

Gap years are becoming increasingly popular, especially as a means of escaping the current economic crisis and resulting job market; adding to your C.V whilst having a fantastic time appears to be a win win situation. As the YouTube ‘Gap Yah’ phenomenon demonstrates, attitudes and motivations to travel vary broadly – the key being to recognise what you really want to get out of it.

‘Voluntourism’ has been a much maligned term within the international aid sector, especially as a result of some unscrupulous companies, but with the right attitude, achievable expectations, and careful planning it can be incredibly valuable.

Exploring your reasons behind volunteering can help in discovering the right placement for you. Travelling to have a good time and interact with different cultures is just as valid as wanting to make a difference and help those less fortunate. However identifying whether you want a holiday or a job will affect the way you approach a placement.

For volunteering placements it is often helpful to identify your skills and find an organisation that will help you utilise them. But do be aware that just because you can speak English doesn’t mean that you will be good at teaching it. If you wouldn’t be allowed to do something in the UK should you really have the right to do so abroad?

'... remember its someone else’s home you are visiting, making you subject to their needs and concerns. Respect is a must – something voluntourism demands and deserves'

Organisations that put the priorities of the local communities first, may be less flexible on the dates when you can volunteer or where you can go, but are likely to be more legitimate and beneficial. Researching how various programmes are structured and their long term developmental goals can assist in helping you to discover the best ways in which you can contribute. Similarly if you’re being asked to pay a lot of money, ask to see how it is broken down and details of where it is going. Some NGOs have been known to have as much as 90% of their budget unaccounted for – often going straight into directors’ pockets rather than towards projects.

Realistically unless you have years of training and a highly specialised skill, such as being an eye surgeon, for your contribution to be more than financial you’d be looking at working for a minimum of six months. This gives stability to the project and presents you with the opportunity to integrate with the local community, developing professional and personal relationships. Many organisations will accept shorter term volunteers, but this is usually only a means of funding other longer-term schemes.   

Wherever you go and however you get there, whether it be independently or as part of a group, remember its someone else’s home you are visiting, making you subject to their needs and concerns. Respect is a must – something voluntourism demands and deserves.

Words and photos: Sofya Shahab