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#ResponsibleTourism

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• It’s not often that we think about the impact our holidays have upon the places we choose to visit.

• We make it our business to not only organise holidays which minimise on negative impact whilst maximising on quality, but to educate our clients as to how they can continue to make a difference in their future adventures.

How does Travel Matters do that?

• We support local schools with fundraising

Visit primary schools giving talks on responsible travel

We plant trees

We promote ethical & responsible travel

We support travel charities

We collaborate with specialist companies who promote

responsible travel

Proud supporter of WTM world responsible tourism day

Campaigning for the implementation and development of responsible tourism in West Africa

Raising awareness towards West Africa as an AMAZING travel destination

Promoting west African based tourism projects that are actively working to implement responsible tourism principles within their

activities

Voluntourism

“…the integrated combination of voluntary service to a destination with the traditional

elements of travel and tourism - arts, culture, geography, history, and recreation - while in the

destination.” (voluntourism.org)

Good?

Bad?

Ugly?

Why the theme?• Volunteering usually has positive connotations

• But, that is not always the case

• Importance of responsible tourism practices

“Making destinations better places to live in, and better places to visit” (Cape Town Declaration, 2002)

• We’d like to open a debate on ‘voluntourism’

West Africa Discovery

• We only list 4 Volunteering projects– They are transparent about where the money goes• 80% of the money spent stays in the destination

– They have minimum stay• No less than 4 weeks

– They concentrate on meaningful projects• Wealth through trade, not aid• Early Childhood Programme

– They thoroughly screen the potential volunteers– They prepare the hosts and volunteers

Why only 4?• Too many negative stories

• Not enough regulation

• No meaningful certification

• Not enough preparation

• The volunteers motivations

“The consumerist approach”

But…

“The mind is like a parachute…

… it needs to be open to work”

Frank Zappa

The next hour…

• Speakers

Ben Keene

Chris Hill

• Q & A

• Networking – “Get to know your neighbour”

Ask yourself…

• What does help mean?• How do communities view volunteers?• What are the positive and negative impacts of

voluntourism?• How would you suggest to minimise the negative

impacts and maximise the positives?• Short-term Vs. Long term volunteering?• How would you set-up a voluntourism project?

Speakers slides

If you are going to volunteer…

• Do your research – Social networks, blogs, google, previous volunteers

• Do you have transferable skills?• Where does the money you spend go?• Will your presence benefit or hinder?• Why do you want to volunteer?• Who are you volunteering for?• Be honest with yourself…

Finally…• Standardised guidelines• Local ownership & partnership, in depth and

long lasting• Volunteers to be need to be trained

extensively – before, during and after• Applicants need to be screened thoroughly• Need for a feedback loop• Applicants motives need to be questioned• Transparency

Thank you!