Impact of Volunteer Tourism in Developing World: Sri Lanka Study

This report provides an analysis of the impact of volunteer tourism in the developing world, using Sri Lanka as a case study. It begins with an introduction outlining the research background, problem, and purpose, followed by clearly defined research objectives and questions. A comprehensive literature review explores the existing body of knowledge on volunteer tourism, examining its positive and negative impacts. The proposed research methodology, including research approach, philosophy, design, data collection methods (primary and secondary), sampling techniques, and data analysis, is detailed. The significance of the research is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of understanding the multifaceted effects of voluntourism. The report also acknowledges research limitations and includes a project schedule. The study aims to interpret the prevailing concepts of volunteer tourism, understand its importance in developing countries, assess associated problems in Sri Lanka, and recommend ways to enhance its existence. The report utilizes an inductive research approach and interpretivism philosophy, employing descriptive research design and both primary and secondary data collection methods, including questionnaires and literature review. Qualitative techniques are used for data analysis, with a focus on themes and charts. The report's significance lies in its contribution to a deeper understanding of volunteer tourism and its complex impacts, considering both positive and negative aspects.

1. An analysis of the impact of volunteer tourism in
the developing world: a case study of Sri Lanka

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.) INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
A.) Research background ...........................................................................................................1
B.) Research problem .................................................................................................................1
C.) Research purpose .................................................................................................................2
4.) RESEARCH OBJECTIVES.......................................................................................................2
5.) RESEARCH QUESTIONS........................................................................................................3
6. )LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................................3
7.) PROPOSED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ........................................................................3
8.) SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH ...................................................................................5
9.) RESEARCH LIMITATION ......................................................................................................5
10.) PROJECT SCHEDULE ..........................................................................................................5
11.) CHAPTER OUTLINE .............................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................8

3.) INTRODUCTION
A.) Research background
Volunteer tourism is widely known as a promising sector of tourism which can provide
benefit to both the host communities and tourist so it is important that such type of optimism is
inspired through the growing interest in between tourist so that they can enjoy their vacation time
in performing the charitable work. Further the popularity of volunteer tourism is increasing in the
developing world. The present study is conducted so that impact on volunteer tourism on the
developing world can be assessed. There are 4 main participators within the volunteer tourism
chain that are volunteers, partner organization, host organization and sending organization
(Mostafanezhad and et.al., 2016). Volunteering tourism was based on in idealism on an Ideal
idea where they thought that volunteer themselves will come forward for the good deeds while
they are traveling , it totally depend on the willingness of people, this idea was soon accepted
by traveler who find it as a great way to do something good and fun together so this idea was
greatly accepted by the traveler as it also helped in good relation between countries so it was also
appreciated by many countries.
Volunteering tourism has been in market since 90s but its major growth was noticed in
late years of 20th century with approx. of 1.6 million people participation every year. Though it’s
difficult to create accurate statistic but there is constant growth and major participation in this
year.
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Volunteer tourism is not bound to certain place but have its wing wide open all over the
world. This volunteer work is arranged by private companies, NGOs, charities, universities etc.
These organisations are known as “Sending Organisation” volunteering tourism have open many
opportunities and has been viewed positively all over there are many literature work are done on
the positive impact of voluntary tourism but there are lots of people who avoid positive impact
and take into consideration negative impacts
B.) Research problem
People have continuously ignored the negative impacts of volunteering tourism in the
dazzling light of its positive impact (Bargeman, Richards and Govers, 2016). If we looked at it
than we will come to know that how we fail to look at the other side of coin.
As it can be stated that human is most selfish creature made by God we can say that
volunteering for such things may have certain their personal agenda behind it. Or the other
countries are not the only one getting benefit of it, for example if such volunteering work is
arranged by some private companies their main aim can be of achieving profit. Even in the
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Illustration 1: Volunteer tourism
(Sources: Volunteer tourism, 2017)

recent studies it had come forward that this volunteering work is soon turning into business
segment.
The problem statement in this research is to analyse the impact of volunteer tourism in
the developing world. It is a problem because there are lots of issues which are associated with
the progression of volunteer tourism in the developing world. The volunteer tourism is increasing
while there are plentiful concerning areas that are hindering into the development of volunteer
tourism.
The existing research has focused on primarily on the benefits of volunteer tourism and there are
many studies which is simply focused on profiling volunteer tourism or investigating their
motivation. This research will help in filling the gap which is left out previous studies which is
conducted by different authors related to numerous possible negative impacts of volunteer
tourism which deserve increased attention from researcher.
Another negative impact which they have to go through is local, it’s not important for
local to welcome them with open arms and warm smile. Many time the wishes of host
communities are ignored. When volunteers do the job of local it creates a rift as they do the work
for free for which they get paid this create economic imbalance in local communities as their
jobs are snatched this result in unemployment (Zarandian and et.al., 2016). Sometime there also
occurs a clash of views between locals and volunteers. The only criteria to join volunteering
tourism is “ the will to help “ they do not ask for any skills which raise the question the way to
help people, if they are unskilled or does not know about the local culture they only create
distribution in work progress, even some of the programmes have said that most of the
volunteers are unqualified and are only used to create awareness , with unqualified volunteers
it’s difficult to give them with big responsibilities as many times their work is unsatisfactory
(Germann Molz, 2016).
C.) Research purpose
This research study will be conducted with the main purpose that is analysis of the impact
of volunteer tourism in the developing world. This research will help in analysing the gap which
is left by previous researcher on the given topic.
There are different research is conducted on the impact of volunteer tourism. There is direct
relationship between volunteer tourism and developing world has been revealed by most of the
works. The purpose of research is to understand the main issues face due to negativity of
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volunteer tourism. It is important to understand the possible impact of volunteer tourism and
develop knowledge related to the present topic. In this regard, the purpose of present study is to
understand the different aspects of volunteer tourism and its impact on developing world
Aim: An analysis of the impact of volunteer tourism in the developing world: a case study of Sri
Lanka
4.) RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 To interpret the prevailing concept of volunteer tourism in the developing world.
 To understand the need base importance of volunteer tourism in the developing countries.
 To assess the problems associated with the progression of volunteer tourism in a
developing nation like Sri Lanka.
 To recommend ways in which the existence of volunteer tourism can be enhanced in Sri
Lanka.
5.) RESEARCH QUESTIONS
 What are the prevailing concept of volunteer tourism in the developing world. ?
 What are the need base importance of volunteer tourism in the developing countries ?
 What are the problem associated with the progression of volunteer tourism in the
developing world- a case study of Sri Lanka?
What are the ways in which the existence of volunteer tourism can be enhanced in the
developing world.6.) LITERATURE REVIEW
Volunteering tourism
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Volunteering tourism also known as voluntourism is a part of tourism which, with
traditional benefit also provide additional benefit of volunteering to traveller, mean the travellers
can do volunteer work for the problems faced by their host countries by providing either money
or time. With volunteering tourism as a new branch, it has open many gates of great opportunity
for tourism. Voluntourism has helped in creating better relationship between international
countries (Griffiths, 2016). With voluntourism it’s the host country who get most benefits not
only economically but also socially and culture (for e.g. In take Sri lanka then it can be stated
that tourism is important part of our economic sector with voluntourism not only they will get
help economically but also socially as people face many crisis of poverty and illiteracy.
7.) PROPOSED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 Research approach: - Research approaches are of two types, such as deductive and
inductive which can be used by the investigator for conducting the whole research study.
In the current report, researcher has used inductive approach. The inductive approach
start with observation and new theories are constructed through gathering information
related to the negative impact of tourism.
 Research Philosophy: - Research philosophy is also of two type that is positivism and
interpretivism. In this present research, scholar use interpretivism philosophy in
assistance to qualitative research. Its helps in respect to find-out the research problem
solution in a right manner which is related to volunteer tourism (Kalra, Phadnis and
Joshi, 2017).
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 Research design:-Descriptive research design is used for the present investigation, for
accomplishing the aim of the project (Landau, Mitnik and Lev-Ari, 2016.). Along with, it
will assist in taking out various solution for specific problem with use of tools and
techniques for present study.
 Data collection: - In the present study, the sources used by the researcher are primary
and secondary for collecting data, the researcher collected primary data with the help of
questionnaire. Therefore, secondary data is used in which information is gather from
books, journals and from the libraries (Mammen, Norton and Butz,2016). Hence, from
this there are two methods for gathering the information primary data, such as qualitative
and quantitative techniques. In the present report, both primary and secondary research
sources have been used for collecting the data. Selection of technique is depended on the
method of collecting . In present report, qualitative techniques are used by the
investigator in which frames open ended and close ended questions will be prepared and
interpretation of the same will be done with the use of charts and table.Sampling: - There
are two kinds of sampling method by the investigator in this study. Themselves used
probabilistic sampling method which it takes part and provide equal possibility (Hwang,
Mossa-Basha and Anzai, 2016.). Another method used by the researcher is simple
random sampling in which the respective respondents are chosen randomly from the
geographic area. In present report, 30 visitors of Sri Lanka will be chosen for study and
the result identified on the basis of their views and opinion.
 Data analysis: - For analysing the data qualitative techniques will be used under which
themes and charts will be prepared on the basis of collected data. Further non-numerical
technique will be used for interpreting the information in an effective manner
8.) SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH
The present report helps in creating a deep understanding related to the volunteer tourism
and its negative impacts. Volunteer tourism is not a one-way traffic, it is rather based on give
and take policy (Furuya-Kanamori and et.al., 2017). In this type of tourism, the volunteers also
learn many things like they learn about different cultures, get aware of the problems that are
being faced by people where their good experience may lead to many more opportunities for that
country as well as other countries as it may result in more such tours.
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9.) RESEARCH LIMITATION
Due to the limitation of time and money in the present study highly advanced tools and
techniques are used. Along with this due to limitation of time for conducting survey sample size
is taken from whole universe which is not too low neither too high (Steele, Dredge and Scherrer,
2017). All the ethics are taken into consideration in respect to carry out present research in an
effective manner. This help in avoiding any controversial situation.
10.) PROJECT SCHEDULE
Gantt chart
Week number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1. Choosing right title
for investigation
2. Background of the
research
3. Devising aims and
objective of selected
topic
4. Collection of primary
information
5. Literature review
6. Writing research
methodology
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7.Selection of
methodology
8. Analysing the
collected data
9. Conclusion
10. Suggestions
11. Reporting to the tutor
11.) CHAPTER OUTLINE Chapter 1: Introduction: It is the first chapter of dissertation which provide clear-cut
framework of the selected topic. It will cover the overview of the present topic under
which study will be carried out. Along with this it covers purpose of and rationale behind
selecting these techniques. Following this with the aim and objectives will be described.
At last of this chapter, the tools and techniques will be discussed with the help of which
entire research is carry out, Chapter 2: Literature review: The section provide detail outline the concept and
importance related of the volunteer tourism Further, the problem associated with the
progression of volunteer tourism in the developing world will be identified. This chapter
will undertake the assessment of different area of research study. Articles and journals of
different author will be undertaken for deep study. Chapter 3: Research methodology: It is a chapter in which different methods will be
provided which will be used by researcher for taking the dissertation in a right direction.
Along with this, validation of the selected techniques will be provided. Apart from this in
this section ethical consideration and limitation of the resources used by the investigator.
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 Chapter 4: Data analysis: All the data which is collected from primary or secondary
sources will be analysed.
 Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendations: It is a last chapter of dissertation which
will provide findings that derived from collection and analysis of data. Further on the
basis of collected data suggestion will be given for improvement.
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References
Books and Journals
Bargeman, B., Richards, G. and Govers, E., 2016. Volunteer tourism impacts in Ghana: a
practice approach. Current Issues in Tourism. pp. 1-16.
Furuya-Kanamori, L. and et.al., 2017. Medical and psychological problems faced by young
Australian gap year travellers. Journal of Travel Medicine.24(5).
Germann Molz, J., 2016. Making a difference together: discourses of transformation in family
voluntourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 24(6). pp.805-823.
Griffiths, M., 2016. An Opinion Piece. A response to the Special Issue on volunteer tourism: the
performative absence of volunteers. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 24(2). pp.169-176.
Hwang, W. D., Mossa-Basha, M., Andre, J.B., Hippe, D. S., Culbertson, S. and Anzai, Y., 2016.
Qualitative comparison of noncontract head dual-energy computed tomography using
rapid voltage switching technique and conventional computed tomography. Journal of
computer assisted tomography.40(2). pp.320-325.
Kalra, R., Phadnis, S. and Joshi, A., 2017. Perceptual analysis of women on tubectomy and other
family planning services: a qualitative study. International Journal of Reproduction,
Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology.4(1). pp.94-99.
Landau, C., Mitnik, I., Cohen-Mansfield, J., Tillinger, E., Friedman, E. and Lev-Ari, S., 2016.
Inquiry-based stress reduction (IBSR) meditation technique for BRCA1/2 mutation
carriers—A qualitative study. European Journal of Integrative Medicine.8(6). pp.958-964.
Mammen, J. R., Norton, S. A., Rhee, H. and Butz, A. M., 2016. New approaches to qualitative
interviewing: Development of a card sort technique to understand subjective patterns of
symptoms and responses. International journal of nursing studies.58. pp.90-96.
Mostafanezhad, M. and et.al., 2016. Political ecology of tourism: community, power and the
environment. Routledge.
Mostafanezhad, M., 2016. Organic farm volunteer tourism as social movement participation: a
Polanyian political economy analysis of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
(WWOOF) in Hawai ‘. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.24(1). pp.114-131.
Prince, S., 2017. Working towards sincere encounters in volunteer tourism: an ethnographic
examination of key management issues at a Nordic eco-village. Journal of Sustainable
Tourism, pp.1-16.
Steele, J., Dredge, D. and Scherrer, P., 2017. Monitoring and evaluation practices of volunteer
tourism organisations. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. pp.1-17.
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