The trend of sustainability, fairness and quest for meaning can also be seen in tourism. People are looking for social engagement and a deeper meaning for their holidays. The tourism industry has long since reacted to this desire. As a niche market, voluntourism constitutes an alternative to mass tourism and has recorded a high quantitative and qualitative dynamism since the beginning of the 21st century. An increasing number of tourism providers see a viable economic potential in voluntourism. As a hybrid form of international voluntary service and tourism, it is designed as a bookable touristic offer and marketed within a competitive sector – although it is intended to serve a charitable purpose. The programmes, which were originally small-scale, are marketed commercially by professional tourism operators. Thus, being adapted to market principles and controversial basic elements, such as the adventure of the holidays on the one hand and the meaningful work on the other. Consequently, this trend reflects touristification and commercialisation.
This thesis will explore voluntourism from a different angle by studying the various providers in the German market and their business concepts regarding their product ranges, marketing, and realisation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. Overview of the Thematic Area
- 1.2. Problem Statement and Purpose
- 2. Theoretical Framework
- 2.1. Terminology
- 2.2. Development of Voluntourism
- 2.3. Concept of Sustainability in Tourism
- 2.4. Placement of Voluntourism within the Tourism Industry
- 2.5. Strategic Considerations of Targeting a Niche Market
- 3. Voluntourism Demand on the German Market
- 3.1. Drivers of the Booming Industry
- 3.2. Sociodemographic Characteristics of Voluntourists
- 3.3. Motivations and Expectations of Voluntourists
- 4. Voluntourism Supply on the German Market
- 4.1. Methodology
- 4.2. Status Quo of Providers
- 4.3 Identifying the Business Concepts
- 4.4. Analysis of the Product Range
- 4.4.1. Design
- 4.4.2. Marketing
- 4.4.3. Realisation
- 4.5. Deriving the Organisational Objectives
- 4.6. Evaluation and Discussion
- 5. Impacts of the Project Realisation in the Target Regions
- 5.1. Economic Impacts
- 5.2. Social Impacts
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This bachelor thesis aims to analyze voluntourism as a business concept, examining its organizational objectives, product range, implementation, and economic and social impacts in target regions. The research investigates the German market, focusing on the supply and demand sides of the industry.
- Organizational objectives and business models of voluntourism providers in Germany.
- The product range offered by voluntourism organizations, including design, marketing, and implementation strategies.
- Economic impacts of voluntourism projects in target regions.
- Social impacts of voluntourism projects in target regions.
- Motivations and expectations of German voluntourists.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of voluntourism and its relevance. It outlines the problem statement, highlighting the gap in research on the business aspects of voluntourism, particularly concerning its economic and social impacts. The chapter sets the stage for the thesis by defining the scope of the study and stating its objectives.
2. Theoretical Framework: This chapter lays the groundwork for the empirical analysis by establishing a theoretical understanding of voluntourism. It defines key terms, traces the development of voluntourism as a phenomenon, explores the concept of sustainability within the tourism industry, and positions voluntourism within the broader tourism market. Crucially, it also delves into strategic considerations for targeting a niche market like voluntourism, providing a foundation for understanding the business strategies employed by providers.
3. Voluntourism Demand on the German Market: This chapter focuses on the demand side of the German voluntourism market. It analyzes the factors driving the industry's growth, examining socioeconomic characteristics and motivations of German individuals participating in voluntourism. The chapter investigates the expectations of voluntourists, providing insights into what drives participation and what constitutes a successful voluntourism experience. This understanding is critical for providers in tailoring their offerings to meet demand.
4. Voluntourism Supply on the German Market: This chapter shifts the focus to the supply side of the German voluntourism market. It details the methodology employed for researching voluntourism providers, presenting a status quo analysis of existing organizations. The chapter's core lies in identifying and analyzing the business concepts and product ranges of these providers. This encompasses the design, marketing, and realization of their voluntourism projects. By examining organizational objectives, the chapter contributes to a deeper understanding of the industry's structure and strategic approaches.
5. Impacts of the Project Realisation in the Target Regions: This chapter assesses the consequences of voluntourism projects in the regions where they are implemented. The analysis is divided into economic and social impacts, exploring the effects on local economies and communities. The chapter aims to evaluate the positive and negative contributions of voluntourism, providing a balanced perspective on its real-world implications. This comprehensive evaluation is essential for determining the overall sustainability and ethical considerations of the industry.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Voluntourism, business model, organizational objectives, product range, marketing, economic impact, social impact, sustainability, tourism, Germany, niche market, stakeholder analysis, ethical considerations.
Häufig gestellte Fragen (Frequently asked questions)
What is the main focus of this document?
This document is a language preview outlining the content of a bachelor thesis analyzing voluntourism as a business concept. It encompasses the thesis's title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the table of contents?
The table of contents includes sections on Introduction, Theoretical Framework, Voluntourism Demand on the German Market, Voluntourism Supply on the German Market, and Impacts of the Project Realisation in the Target Regions.
What are the main objectives and key themes of the thesis?
The thesis aims to analyze voluntourism as a business concept, focusing on organizational objectives, product range, implementation, and economic and social impacts in target regions. Key themes include business models, marketing strategies, economic and social effects, and motivations of voluntourists.
What is covered in the "Theoretical Framework" chapter?
This chapter provides a theoretical understanding of voluntourism, defining key terms, tracing its development, exploring sustainability in tourism, positioning voluntourism within the tourism industry, and examining strategic considerations for targeting this niche market.
What does the chapter on "Voluntourism Demand on the German Market" explore?
This chapter analyzes the drivers of the industry's growth, the socioeconomic characteristics and motivations of German voluntourists, and their expectations regarding the voluntourism experience.
What is the focus of the "Voluntourism Supply on the German Market" chapter?
This chapter investigates the supply side of the German voluntourism market, detailing the methodology used to research providers, presenting a status quo analysis, identifying business concepts and product ranges, and examining organizational objectives.
What aspects of the "product range" of Voluntourism Supply are analysed?
The chapter analyses the Design, Marketing and Realisation of the product range of different Voluntourism suppliers.
What does the chapter on "Impacts of the Project Realisation in the Target Regions" assess?
This chapter assesses the economic and social impacts of voluntourism projects in the regions where they are implemented, aiming to evaluate both the positive and negative contributions of the industry.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
The keywords include: Voluntourism, business model, organizational objectives, product range, marketing, economic impact, social impact, sustainability, tourism, Germany, niche market, stakeholder analysis, ethical considerations.
What is the "Problem Statement and Purpose" as noted in the Introduction?
The Introduction chapter outlines the problem statement and highlighting the gap in research on the business aspects of voluntourism, particularly concerning its economic and social impacts.
- Quote paper
- Marja Elisat (Author), 2021, Voluntourism as a Business Concept. Organisational Objectives, Product Range, Realisation as well as Economic and Social Impacts in the Target Regions, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1548394
