You might know the words philanthropy or volunteering…
But have you heard of these travel trends?
What is Philantourism?
Philantourism is the term for philanthropy combined with tourism. It has become a rapidly developing travel trend. It is a type of voluntourism which is defined as the act of selecting a tourist location that is in desperate need of visitors. It’s a way of showing support for the chosen destination in order to raise funds for a good cause.
It’s the act of picking a vacation or experience to promote a cause, guaranteeing that travel may be a positive factor.
It sure is nice to know that your money is going to a good cause in a community. The concept of ‘Philantourism’ is an excellent method. It is a logical extension of ‘voluntourism,’ but with a lower time investment. It allows you to assist a location just by visiting it. All you have to do now is relax and enjoy yourself, while investing the money you would have spent on your trip in the local economy by patronizing local restaurants, motels, and small businesses.
Simply put, it recommends that you make a conscious decision to visit some truly unique locales that remain wonderful vacation spots. It’s a win-win situation: you get to have a wonderful adventure while your selected destination gets some much-needed financial and moral support.
Voluntourism
Voluntourism is a phrase that combines the words volunteer and tourism. It’s sometimes referred to as volunteer vacation or volunteer travel. Voluntourism is a type of tourism in which visitors volunteer for a charitable organization. Voluntourists range in age and come from all over the world.
Thousands of people from wealthier countries travel to poor countries every year in the hopes of doing good. University students seek to volunteer during their summer break, possibly to strengthen their resume. Christians embark on one/two-week missions with their congregations. Everyone wants to grow personally, connect with people who are less fortunate, and feel good about making a difference. Many people’s final destination is an orphanage, where they want to offer joy to needy children in whatever time they have available.
Why has ‘voluntourism’ become such a popular travel trend?
Volunteering is the finest way to immerse yourself in a new culture. You’ll be staying with a host family and learning about their culture by eating authentic home-cooked meals, listening to their native language, and potentially attending their festivals. While a conventional vacation may not provide you with enough opportunities to interact with the locals, as a volunteer, you will always be surrounded by them. It will be a wonderful opportunity for you to learn more about their history and traditions, to see their culture and customs, and to appreciate how different people are from each other in the most beautiful day.
Volunteer trips are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, no exaggeration! A volunteer trip will broaden your horizons and help you see the world in a more humble light. It will alter your outlook on life and demonstrate how difficult life can be for certain individuals.
Volunteering can help you advance in your profession and realize your full potential. When we live and work within our familiar domain, we frequently fail to assess our skills. We only know our genuine skills and shortcomings when we move outside of our comfort zones. A volunteer experience will assist you in understanding your limits and pushing them for the better.
