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Assessing the nature of voluntourism within the Caribbean Author’s Name: Raeann Beckles Applied Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Tourism and Events Management of The University of the West Indies Executive Summary “Assessing the nature of Voluntourism within the Caribbean” Authors Name: Raeann Beckles Assessing the nature of voluntourism within the Caribbean is a collaborative effort between the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). While this research sought to determine the current state of voluntourism within the English, Spanish and French speaking Caribbean islands; it also aimed to aid the development of a sound framework for voluntourism within the Caribbean. Guided by three research questions, the study adopted a mixed research design and methodology, which allowed for a balanced and holistic analysis of the findings. The results revealed that 67% of the English Speaking Countries (ESCs) and 40% of Spanish Speaking Countries (SSCs) surveyed are currently involved in voluntourism activities. However, the lone French Speaking Country that participated indicated that their respective country was not involved in voluntourism. Lack of awareness, limited benefits and challenges associated with voluntourism were among the top reasons for lack of involvement in the area by some countries. While the extent to which countries are involved in voluntourism was brought into question, the results revealed that for those countries not involved in voluntourism, there exists a level of interest for venturing into the field. In reviewing the research process and analysing the results a series of limitations were recognized. Recommendations were subsequently made in response to these limitations, supported by observations from the literature reviewed. This research paper was presented in a systematic format, inclusive of five key chapters namely; Chapter 1: Introduction and Research Problem: Importance of Topic Selection, (2) Literature Review and References, (3) Research Design and Methodology for Collecting Data, (4) Data Collection, Findings and Analysis and (5) Conclusion and Recommendations. These chapters together facilitated the presentation and analysis of the results obtained. In closing, the results is significant to CTO, ACS, the NTOs (Ministries of Tourism and Tourist Boards), the Caribbean Tourism Industry and the wider Caribbean, as the Caribbean is seeking to diversify its tourism product to incorporate this new and innovative niche. ii Acknowledgements/Dedication The following submission is dedicated to a long list of individuals who I believe was truly instrumental to the success of my M.Sc. Tourism and Events Management programme as well as my Applied Research Project and Internship. As such, I will like to thank Dr. Sherma Roberts - Lecturer in Tourism & Programme Coordinator, M.Sc. Tourism Programmes, The Department of Management Studies, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus; Ms. Gail Henry - Internship Supervisor and Mentor & Sustainable Tourism Product Specialist, CTO; and Mrs. Julia Tum - Applied Research Project Supervisor, Inspiration and Mentor & University Teacher Fellow, UK Centre for Events Management, Cavendish Hall, Headingley Campus for their nuggets of encouragement and optimistic support throughout the duration of her Post Graduate Career. Moreover, I will like to extend heartfelt appreciation to my non-academic support team who without fail contributed positively to what has been a life changing journey. Therefore, I dedicate this paper to: Ray Beckles, Audrey Beckles, Kern Beckles, Judy Beckles, Danae Li Beckles, Nathlyn Beckles, Karel Cruickshank, Sade Deane, Tristan Alvarez, Ginelle Belle, Mikeila Carrington, Davina Layne, Levon Roberts, and Ann-Marie Burke. I will like to thank lastly, but certainly not least - God for opening the door and providing all the resources needed to pursue my masters at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados over the past two years. His grace and strength has been sufficient throughout my programme. As such, as this chapter of my life closes, I look forward with anticipation to the next chapter which I have faith to believe will be equally awesome. iii Table of Contents Declaration i Executive Summary ii Acknowledgements/Dedications iii Acronyms v List of Figures vi List of Illustrations vii List of Tables viii Chapter 1: Introduction & Research Problem: Importance of Topic 1 Selection Chapter 2: Literature Review & References 5 Chapter 3: Research Design and Methodology for Collecting Data 19 Chapter 4: Data Collection, Findings and Analysis 25 Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations 51 Bibliography 57 Appendix 64 Glossary 69 iv Acronyms ACS Association of Caribbean States AUD Australian Dollars AVI Australian Volunteers International CANNU Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States CBOs Community-based Organizations CIA CommUnity In Action CIS Commonwealth of International States CSR Corporate Social Responsibility CTO Caribbean Tourism Organization ESC English Speaking Countries FSC French Speaking Countries G-BRICs Germany, Brazil, Russia, India and China GDP Gross Domestic Product HFHI Habitat for Humanity International ITA International Tourist Arrivals MDGs Millennium Development Goals NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations NTOs National Tourism Organizations OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development SSC Spanish Speaking Countries UCSD University of California at San Diego UK United Kingdom UN United Nations UNV United Nations Volunteers UNWTO United Nations World Tourism Organization US United States VGS Volunteer Graduate Scheme VSOs Volunteer Sending Organizations VSO Volunteer Service Overseas v List of Figures Page No. Figure 1 Number of English, Spanish and French Speaking Countries already 28 involved in voluntourism activities Figure 2 Extent to which country is involved in voluntourism - ESC 30 Figure 3 Sectors that lead voluntourism initiatives in the country - ESC 31 Figure 4 Existing voluntourism activities within the country 33 Figure 5 Number of Voluntourists that visit the country annually 37 Figure 6 Reasons for the lack of involvement in voluntourism activities 39 (selected) - ESC Figure 7 Level of interest in pursuing voluntourism - ESC 42 Figure 8 Whether or not voluntourism is beneficial to the country 43 Figure 9 Areas in which is voluntourism currently benefitting the country 44 Figure 10 Extent to which successful project identified above, meets fifteen (15) 47 criteria of the voluntourism concept - ESC Figure 11 Extent to which successful project identified above, meets fifteen (15) 49 criteria of the voluntourism concept - SSC vi List of Illustrations Page No. Illustration 1 Social Exchange Theory model 11 Illustration 2 Monthly Tourist (Stop-Over) Arrivals 2009-2013 16 vii List of Tables Page No. Table 1 Voluntourism Survey - Participating Countries 26 Table 2 Employment Demographics 27 Table 3 Whether or not there is a budget for voluntourism in the country 32 Table 4 Successful voluntourism projects identified and described within the - 34 ESC Table 5 Successful voluntourism projects identified and described within the - 36 SSC viii Chapter 1: Introduction & Research Problem: Importance of Topic Selection Introduction to Chapter 1: This section seeks to provide a brief overview and general description of the area under review. It highlights the reasons why the topic is of interest to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) as well as why it will be of interest to other business organisations and their management. The specific area within the field of voluntourism being researched is also identified; and the relevance of the research to the strategic, competitive situation of business organizations seeking to venture into voluntourism within the Caribbean is briefly discussed. Assessing the nature of Voluntourism within the Caribbean The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in collaboration with the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) has embarked upon a study which aims to investigate the nature of Voluntourism within the English, Spanish and French speaking Caribbean islands highlighting the perspectives of the National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) - (Phase 1) and the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) - (Phase 2); - two key stakeholder groups within the field. However, for the purpose of submitting this research paper within the specified deadline, only (Phase 1) has been completed, with (Phase 2) to be finalized at a later date. Moreover, the research seeks to not only provide insight into the existence and operations of voluntourism within the Caribbean at present; but also aid in the creation of a sound framework for this new and evolving concept within the region. As such, this research is guided by the following research questions: 1. To what extent are Caribbean destinations within the English, Spanish and French Speaking Caribbean islands involved in voluntourism? 2. What are the reasons for the lack of involvement in voluntourism activities/projects by potential host destinations within the Caribbean? 3. In what ways are Caribbean destinations currently benefitting from their involvement in voluntourism? 1 Moreover, though focus is given to this topic by CTO and ACS, the question is asked - what is voluntourism and why does it hold relevance to the Caribbean? Voluntourism is a unique merger between two distinct