Since the 1970ies volunteer tourism has sparked academic as well as public interest and debate. This thesis consists of a concise analysis of current theories and research interests in this field. It points out challenges and opportunities of international volunteering, using a case study from South Africa, especially focusing on the area of research volunteering in a conservation context. The analysis of attitudes and perceptions of the volunteer as well as potential benefits the experience may have on their future life in general and career especially has been carried out by means of online survey. Further similarities and differences between ‘general’ volunteers and research volunteers have been established and analyzed, leading to the insight that altruism combined with the desire to travel and experience a different culture are central motivators to both groups and similar perceived benefits are attributed to volunteering. This study concludes that research volunteering can be especially beneficial to all parties involved if design and realization of the project are given great consideration and suggests further research into the complex task to develop mutually beneficial volunteering projects despite ongoing commodification of this area of sustainable tourism.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Historical Background of Volunteer Tourism
- Hotspots, product range and Agencies
- Hotspots of Volunteer Tourism
- Product Range of Volunteer Tourism
- Agencies as actors in Volunteer Tourism
- Literature Review - Current Research Foci in Volunteer Tourism
- Disciplines engaging in volunteer tourism research
- Introduction to literature and scope of this paper
- Literature Review, Motivations to volunteer
- Literature Review, Challenges and Limitations of Volunteer Tourism
- Literature Review, positioning agencies within the volunteer tourism framework
- Literature Review, scientific research volunteers
- Summary of Literature Review and identification of gaps in research
- Research Questions and interests
- Introduction and Reasoning
- Research Questions
- Methods
- On site research at Knysna Elephant Park
- Study site
- KEP Data collection Methods
- AERV volunteer questionnaire
- Design of the AERU volunteer questionnaire
- Distribution of the AERU volunteer questionnaire
- Evaluation of the AERU volunteer questionnaire
- 'General' volunteer questionnaire
- Defining the Sample Group
- Designing of the 'general' volunteer tourist questionnaire
- Distribution of the 'general' volunteer tourist questionnaire
- Evaluation of the 'general' volunteer tourist questionnaire
- Traditional tourism companies survey
- Identifying the sample group
- Designing the survey for traditional travel agencies
- Interpretation of the survey
- Results
- Results Introduction
- Knysna Elephant Park results
- Results of the KEP volunteer questionnaire
- Results of the 'general' volunteer survey in comparison to AERU results
- Tourism Companies Survey
- Discussion of the research findings
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to analyze current theories and research interests in volunteer tourism, highlighting challenges and opportunities within the field. It uses a case study from South Africa, focusing on research volunteering in conservation. The study examines the attitudes and perceptions of volunteers, exploring potential benefits of volunteering on their future lives and careers. Similarities and differences between "general" volunteers and research volunteers are also analyzed.
- Challenges and opportunities of international volunteer tourism.
- Motivations of volunteers and perceived benefits of the experience.
- Comparison of "general" volunteers and research volunteers.
- The role of agencies in volunteer tourism.
- The impact of volunteer tourism on conservation efforts.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of volunteer tourism, its growing importance, and the need for further research to understand its multifaceted impacts. It sets the stage for the thesis, outlining the research questions and methodology used in the study. The introduction establishes the context of the study within the broader field of sustainable tourism and highlights the significance of understanding the motivations and experiences of volunteers.
Historical Background of Volunteer Tourism: This section provides a historical overview of volunteer tourism, tracing its evolution from its early stages to its current form. It examines the development of various models and approaches to volunteer tourism and analyzes the key factors that contributed to its growth and expansion. The section delves into the emergence of different types of volunteer tourism activities and the roles played by various stakeholders in shaping the sector.
Literature Review - Current Research Foci in Volunteer Tourism: This chapter comprehensively reviews existing literature on volunteer tourism, critically examining various theoretical frameworks and empirical findings. It summarizes current research foci, including motivations for volunteering, challenges and limitations, and the roles of different agencies. This section identifies gaps in the existing research, paving the way for the current study's contribution to the field. The review highlights the diversity of research approaches and their implications for understanding the complex dynamics of volunteer tourism.
Research Questions and interests: This chapter clearly articulates the specific research questions guiding the study, providing a rationale for each question and explaining their relevance to the broader field of volunteer tourism research. It outlines the overall research objectives and explains how the chosen research methods are suitable for addressing the stated research questions. The chapter establishes a clear link between the research questions, the literature review, and the subsequent empirical findings.
Methods: This chapter details the methodology used in the research, explaining the choices made in selecting data collection methods, sampling techniques, and analytical approaches. It provides a clear justification for the chosen methods and outlines the steps taken to ensure the reliability and validity of the research findings. The chapter also discusses any limitations of the methodology and how these limitations might influence the interpretation of the results.
Results: This section presents the findings of the research. It systematically reports the results from the different data collection methods employed in the study. The results are presented in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate statistical measures and graphical representations where applicable. The presentation is structured to allow for an easy comparison across different data sets and facilitates the interpretation of the findings in the subsequent discussion chapter.
Discussion of the research findings: This chapter discusses the implications of the research findings presented in the previous chapter. It analyzes the results in light of the existing literature, identifying key patterns and relationships. The discussion examines the strengths and limitations of the study's findings and suggests directions for future research. The chapter relates the results back to the research questions posed in the beginning of the thesis and evaluates the extent to which these questions have been answered.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Volunteer tourism, sustainable tourism, research volunteering, conservation, motivations, challenges, opportunities, attitudes, perceptions, South Africa, case study, online survey, altruism, travel, cultural experience, commodification.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comprehensive Language Preview of Volunteer Tourism Thesis
What is the main topic of this thesis?
This thesis analyzes current theories and research interests in volunteer tourism, focusing on challenges, opportunities, and the motivations of volunteers, particularly in conservation research. It uses a South African case study to compare "general" volunteers with research volunteers.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include challenges and opportunities in international volunteer tourism; volunteer motivations and perceived benefits; comparisons between "general" and research volunteers; the role of agencies in volunteer tourism; and the impact of volunteer tourism on conservation.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis follows a standard academic structure. It includes an abstract, introduction, historical background of volunteer tourism, literature review, research questions, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Each chapter is summarized in the document preview.
What methods were used in the research?
The research employed multiple methods, including on-site research at the Knysna Elephant Park (KEP), questionnaires for AERU volunteers and "general" volunteers, and a survey of traditional tourism companies. The methodology section details the design and implementation of these methods.
What are the key findings of the research?
The results section summarizes the findings from the KEP volunteer questionnaire, the "general" volunteer survey, and the tourism company survey. The discussion section interprets these results in relation to the research questions and existing literature. Specific findings are not detailed in this preview.
What is the significance of the case study location (Knysna Elephant Park)?
The Knysna Elephant Park serves as a specific case study to examine research volunteering within a conservation context in South Africa. This allows for focused analysis of volunteer motivations and the impact of volunteering in a specific setting.
What types of volunteers are compared in the study?
The study compares "general" volunteers (those participating in broader volunteer tourism activities) with research volunteers (those specifically involved in research projects, like at the Knysna Elephant Park).
What is the role of volunteer tourism agencies?
The thesis explores the role of agencies in facilitating volunteer tourism, considering their influence on the experience and impact of volunteer tourism.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include volunteer tourism, sustainable tourism, research volunteering, conservation, motivations, challenges, opportunities, attitudes, perceptions, South Africa, case study, online survey, altruism, travel, cultural experience, and commodification.
Where can I find more information about this thesis?
This is a preview; the full thesis would contain detailed information on all aspects of the research.
- Citation du texte
- Tabea Herbutt (Auteur), 2012, Volunteer Tourism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/206370
