What is Voluntourism?

In the past few years, volunteer travel or 'voluntourism' has become a vacation option for the person who is looking for a sense of purpose in their travels - who feels like experiencing new places and people while giving something back with the goal of improving the lifestyle of the people they visit.

In Today's global environment we can, more than ever before, become immersed in a life outside our local community and appreciate the interdependent nature of our world.

Choose a Volunteer Travel Plan That Suits Your Needs

There are all types of voluntourism vacations available.  You can choose a trip tailored to your specific skills, or one that takes place in a particular environment you would like to visit. You can enjoy a luxury voluntoruism vacation with upscale amenities or one with few frills.   The types are voluntourism activities are very diverse, ranging from low skilled involvement with non-profit organizations to higher skilled work in various disciplines such as environmental science, marine biology and rural medical facilities.

Some people think that paying money for a vacation that involves volunteering their time wouldn't be rewarding.  Others realize that the benefits of broadening their own horizons and the enrichment of their lives with this type of trip can't be found in a standard vacation tour package.   Return with treasured memories and incredible stories, knowing you have touched other people's lives.

Let Best Authentic Travel Do the Planning for You

Best Authentic Travel can take care of all the planning and pre-trip arrangements that need to be made for a voluntourism vacation.  We can find you the least expensive international flights and lodging.  You can depend on us providing a reputable organization to work with and a safe environment for your tour.  Not all of your time needs to be spent on your volunteering work.  We can give you time for self exploration or add on extra days to do additional sightseeing.

Some requirements for voluntourism trips:

• You should be physically capable of withstanding some strenuous activity.
• Your attitude is the most important requirement.  Self motivated, enthusiastic and being a team player is crucial to a positive experience.
• Working with the right travel agency.  This can determine whether your vacation is a success or a failure.  With the proper planning the voluntourism participant can take away a learned skill set in an interested field, make new friends and understand more about other's way of life by being an integral part of a community.

You might have a few ideas of your own about what type of voluntourism you are interested in and where you would like to visit.  Call us to discuss what tours we have available and what we are currently working on.