The Ethics of Voluntourism

In this Ethics column, authors and Volunteer Engagement professionals Gabriella Civico and Rita Marques examine the ethics of voluntourism. Voluntourism is defined as a form of tourism in which travelers participate in volunteering activities - ranging from tracking sea turtles in Costa Rica to documenting eating habits of chimpanzees in Uganda. As Civico and Marques explain, however,  these activities do not always focus on the presumed needs of the community, positioning the volunteer as a benevolent giver rather than on a real understanding of need and community partnership. This article considers the potential ethical contradictions in voluntourism.