Volunteer Vacations Are Growing Trend

In 1999 over 500,000 Americans set off to volunteer around the world and contributed over $45 billion to the US economy. Recently, an Expedia survey shows that collectively Americans are alloted 421 million vacation days per year. Why not become a tourist with a mission? Voluntouring is a creative way to volunteer while on vacation! It's easy to turn vacation play into volunteer activities and join the growing number of people voluntouring around the world! Practicing sustainable tourism is right for now!

If you are driven by the desire to do good works voluntouring may be perfect for you. Voluntouring is a creative way of giving back to society while on vacation. You may stay in the US or go abroad. Simply choose the country you wish to visit and make a reservation. With the help of a non-profit brokerage firm or an NGO (non-government organization) you can find a suitable place for your working holiday. These organizations can help you sort out the best time of year for your service-learning, educational or research project.

There are many organizations eager to assist you in structuring your voluntouring vacation. They are able to provide information and help with reservation arrangements to almost anywhere around the globe. For starters, browse the websites of www.voluntours.co.za, www.voluntours.org or -- a little closer to home -- www,generationstouringcompany.com (Generations Touring Company helps those interested in working with Katrina clean up).

VolunTours has been successful at packaging "consumable" travel arrangements for visitors to the Baja Norte Region of Mexico. This is education, cross-cultural exchange and volunteering all bungled together to provide a personal contribution that directly supports community development and economic self-help to low-income residents. Baja Norte is just one of many places a person may choose to visit.

WWW.Volunteertourism.comalso assists individuals, families, corporations and others inspired to make a difference while discovering new places and people. It should be noted that volunteering may come with a hefty price tag. Also, there may be some restrictions or regulations to adhere to.

On Volunteer Tourism's website list both the country along with the cost of a volunteer adventure for your perusal. For example you can work with Cross-Cultural Solutions, located in New Rochelle, New York by becoming one of their volunteers working in a Russian orphanage. During your stay you can teach English, arts and crafts or sports to the children. Your cost is US$1855 for your 2 week stay. There are other listings to choose from posted on this website.

Got time to travel in Australia on a dime! WWOOFing (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) are located around the globe. You can earn room and board and learn organic growing techniques while helping out your host family! There are about 600 host families across the planet including France, Germany and Africa. Year-round membership in Australia is about AUS$50 (+ $5 postage outside Australia). Or check out other service-learning projects closer to home. In the Caribbean you can work on a historic preservation site. However, this project will cost you $1,000 per week. The advantage to voluntouring is that it is tax deductible.

Some organizations have a minimum and maximum number of participants they will take during any given project. The "Light the Lamp" project at San Diego City and County Libraries only take groups with 25 or more participants. You may keep your commitment short and sweet by booking only 2 - 4 hours with the San Diego Parks and Recreation and People for Trees. You can plant trees and shrubs into pre-dug holes. To participate in activities like these, you must be part of group of 25 or more. It will cost you about $30 per person and you will need a hat and sunscreen.

Finally, remember that where ever you decide to go, you can write off your donated time and travel! This incentive can be helpful for tourists and volunteers with limited annual budgets. Imagine writing off holiday expenses after spending time at a Russian orphanage nurturing children without parents. Along with the pictures you'll take home with you and the friends you'll make, your voluntouring experience will also be a beneficial experience for your constituents.