‘Voluntourism’ Combines Sun, Fun, and Humanitarian Aid

Travelers increasingly are indulging their altruistic impulses and their wanderlust with vacation packages that include volunteer activities, reports the Associated Press.

So-called voluntourism is growing in popularity, according to surveys conducted by the Travel Industry Association of America and travel Web sites Orbitz and Travelocity. Vacationers can now help build a school, teach farmers about sustainable alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture, or visit an orphanage, in between sunbathing and sightseeing.

Trips vary on how much humanitarian activity they include. Some focus almost exclusively on those charitable projects, but other vacations may include stays in four-star hotels. Many of the participants are baby boomers.

See also The Chronicle’s coverage of this trend, which has been going strong for many years now.

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