11. Exemplify, educate about, and promote developm

The increasing role of development organizations around the world has produced extensive research and dialogue about what “works” and which efforts have “positive”, “sustainable” impacts. Tour organizers entering the voluntourism sector should be well aware of the complexities and discussions surrounding development issues and make sure to incorporate the lessons learned from those dialogs into their program designs. Some of the concepts, many already detailed above, that relate closely to the impact of voluntourism include the importance of:



Development Best Practices
  • Empowering community leadership and using local power structures when implementing programs
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Program design based on research, community needs assessment and ongoing community participation
  • Project monitoring and evaluation systems


revision note: to be added later