Become a more ethical tourist by volunteering while travelling

Being an ethical tourist means that while exploring a new place, you think about what impact your actions can have on the environment and the local economy. However, when most people dream of travelling to a new destination, their first thought is ‘what place do I want to explore’. Perhaps their first thought should be ‘what volunteering project would I like to do next’.

Being a more ethical tourist will ensure you are giving something back to the area rather than just taking. From being a hospital volunteer in Africa to a meals on wheels volunteer in the UK, there is something for everyone. But it is vital to make sure the organisation is reputable and safe to work for, as well as being ethical. Read on to discover 5 perfect volunteering experiences and what you need to volunteer aswell as why you should.

Do I need experience and qualifications to volunteer?

For most roles, you don’t need a particular skill set or any qualifications.

What you do need for volunteering –

• Be willing to give up some of your time
• Need to be able to leave your comfort zone
• Be a caring person
• Open to new experiences

Although, if you are qualified in a particular area then this may open up more volunteering opportunities for you. Volunteering can also be used to further your career and enhance your C.V.. You could perhaps do volunteer counselling, go on humanitarian trips or perhaps be a medical volunteer.

What are the positives of volunteering while travelling?

There are endless benefits of volunteering while travelling! –

• A great way to get experience in a particular field
• Volunteering abroad will show you are a well rounded character not afraid of new challenges and leaving your comfort zone
• You are contributing to a community in a positive way
• It’s the perfect way to travel slowly and fully explore an area
• Volunteering helps to grow your confidence
• You will meet many new like-minded people
• Volunteering is the perfect way to become a more ethical tourist
• You gain many new skills from volunteering

These are just a few of the many advantages that volunteering will bring you. So if you love to travel then look up sites like Volunteer World for your next volunteering experience abroad to start practising ethical tourism!

If you have time to earn money alongside volunteering then check out these ways to earn money online.

7 ethical tourist volunteering opportunities around the globe –

Volunteer in Costa Rica with turtles!

Does living in the middle of the Caribbean appeal to you? Become a Turtle Conservation Camp Supporter! With this volunteering opportunity, you could live off the beaten track in the Barra de Pacuare Tortuguero National Park! Full of biological diversity, you will come across more than just sea turtles.

Requirements –

• Minimum 6 month stay so it’s perfect for those trying out full time travel
• Willing to communicate and co-ordinate with fellow volunteers
• Able to sleep in a shared room
• Willing to do night patrols

In this project, you get to help in the conservation of sea turtles. You may come across many turtle species including leatherback turtles, green turtles, and hawksbill turtles. These species of turtle are being threatened with extinction so your help would be highly appreciated. During your free time, you are able to explore the jungle and enjoy bonfires on the beach!

Be a super eco-tourist and help out with bushfire recovery in Australia!

If Australia is more your style, then why not assist in the Bushfire Recovery! Help land, water and wildlife recover from this travesty. Although I am not sure exactly what the recovery efforts consist of, with around 1.25 billion animals killed during the 2019-20 bushfires, and 18.5 million hectares of land burnt there is lots of work to be done.

Accommodation is not included but this means that you are likely to be able to volunteer as much or as little time as you wish. This way you can volunteer while working alongside. I plan to do this when I hopefully get to spend time in this sunny country!

Volunteer on a Thai island!

Are you a fan of dogs and cats? Then help out at one of their two shelters. Dog and Cat Rescue Samui Foundation welcome any assistance at all. Sadly when there is an over-population of dogs, the Thai government take it upon themselves to poison some of them. There has unfortunately also become a rise in the number of cats so the foundation now helps both cats and dogs.

All sorts of assistance is appreciated –

• Painting walls
• Spraying dogs
• De-ticking dogs
• Bathing dogs
• Looking after the cats
• Simply loving the animals

There is no accommodation available but you can select how much time you spend at the shelter and this leaves you free to work when you need to. Also, it’s Thailand so accommodation is extremely cheap there in comparison with most countries.

Where to find other volunteering opportunities.

Look after donkeys in Greece!

Visit sunny Greece and become a Donkey Carer. You are required to find your own accommodation and help out 5 days a week. However, it is only a 2-week minimum stay so if you can spare 2 weeks then your help would be greatly appreciated, in particular during the Summer as the centre can become very busy then with tourists needing to be shown around.

General day to day requirements –

• Food preparation (some donkeys need a special diet) 
• Administering medication 
• Cleaning stalls and pasture hygiene 
• Providing fresh hay/bedding and water throughout the day 
• General observation and daily grooming 
• Cleaning and feeding of the other animals (dogs, cats, chickens)
• Walking the CDR-dogs 

You may not realise it but by volunteering with projects such as the 4 mentioned above, you are also helping the planet. By helping nature and all animals to thrive, you are helping to maintain biodiversity and prevent future specie extinctions. Having a variety of species helps the Earth because it keeps nature alive which with out, humanity would cease to exist.

Teach English in Colombia!

Perfect for aspiring teachers or any travellers wanting to give teaching a bash. With only 12 hours a week teaching volunteering time required, this leaves you with plenty of time to explore beautiful Colombia! No experience is required, just turn up with a positive attitude! You are provided with some money for shopping, have access to private accommodation and a shared kitchen at your disposal.

Requirments –

• Teach small groups of 4-6
• Be wiling to teach all ages
• Share your culture

With guaranteed weekends off and only 15 days minimum required, this volunteering opportunity seems too good to miss!

Top travel tip – Where ever you are, make sure to pick up any rubbish you come across. If you are at a beach destination then do a beach clean! To go one step further, sieve through the sand in search of micro-plastics as these are getting into the oceans and harming our seababies.

What’s stopping you!? Apply to a volunteering experience abroad for your next travel adventure and become a more ethical tourist!