Vacationing with a Purpose
There is a new type of travel on the rise and it’s catching on quickly. Voluntourism is the act of giving back to the local community while you are traveling. It can be as simple as heading to a city in the US and spending a day of the trip volunteering or traveling to a foreign country and connecting with the local area. Voluntourism is a great way to truly experience the country, its culture, and its people which you wouldn’t quite get unless you were immersed in the destination.
Let’s look at some of the most popular avenues for volunteering while you are on vacation and some of the brands that make it happen.
1. Sandals/Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean
The Sandals Foundation offers support to the local education system by partnering with the local government to build schools and better the lives of those living in the communities that the resorts serve. One way to connect to the community as a resort guest is to coordinate a reading day with the local school. Guests can take a morning trip to a school and read books with the local schoolchildren. This opportunity can be done through the help of your travel advisor. The Sandals Foundation also collects school supplies throughout the year. Consider packing an extra five pounds of supplies (notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, pens, scissors, and backpacks) and drop them off at the front desk of the hotel upon arrival. The children will be so happy with the new school supplies. We all remember that feeling of getting a new box of crayons when we were younger! This is a great way to spread that love.
2. Hawaii
Hawaii might be considered the birthplace of Voluntourism. There are so many ways to give back to this amazing island chain while you visit and it will help connect you not only to the people (your new Ohana) but it will connect you to the land. From helping clean nature preserves, planting trees, beach cleanup, and participating in a sewing circle, to helping with the animals, there is so much to see and do by volunteering. Visit GoHawaii.com/voluntourism for more information or contact your travel advisor.
3. Find a Local Animal Shelter
Did you know that many local animal shelters will allow you to take dogs out for a day? That’s right, many no-kill shelters have day trip programs, even internationally. You can take it on a hike with you, head out to the local breweries, and explore the outdoors, all while taking along a furry companion to stay by your side. Who knows, maybe you’ll come home with a furry souvenir from your trip after your day of bonding.
4. Ask your Travel Advisor