Two members of the voluntourism or volunteer holiday industry go
head-to-head over the oft-debated benefits and pitfalls of a holiday
choice that continues to grow in popularity.
"Combining luxury travel with volunteering, Hands Up Holidays takes
you on a trip you won’t soon forget. Experience New Orleans and
assist those affected by the oil spill, whether yours is a modest or
splurgy budget."
Katy Holland: Holidays with a heart – they're all the rage for
adventurous families
Are we there yet? Whether through 'voluntourism' or donation
schemes, 'holidays with a heart' are the hottest thing in family
travel.
Named as a Transformative Vacation by
Travel + Leisure Magazine
in the US
"Few travelers get to do more than scratch the surface of [Rio de
Janeiro], ...where golden coastline and buzzing nightlife districts
abut gritty, overcrowded favelas...Hands Up Holidays gives
volunteers a deeper look at the city and a chance to make a
difference."
Named in Harper's Bazaar as one of the
Top 10 Ethical Tour
Operators
Voluntourism: how to combine luxury and labor
"...Hands Up Holidays, a website that promotes “adventures that count … luxury travel with a conscience.” Pick a country or world region, a type of volunteering you’re interested in, whether you’re traveling as a family, solo, as a career break, even on your honeymoon." (
Read More...)
Hands Up Holidays is endorsed by
Dame Anita Roddick, founder
of The Body Shop
'See The World & Make A Difference In It'
"I met the founder, Christopher Hill, of an inspiring travel company
called Hands Up Holidays – who offer trips that blend sightseeing
with authentic, meaningful interactions with local communities
through ‘tasters’ of volunteering...For an adventure that counts I
recommend Hands Up Holidays!"
'Voluntourism: a guilt trip?'
"By day three, I’m on first-name terms with at least a dozen of the
older children, and dangling a toddler off every fingertip. Some are
even catching snakes just for me – one has a full-grown toad inside
it. I’d trade any number of riverboat cruises and five-star suppers
in Kanchanaburi to spend a few more days here.
But it’s time to go. On balance, I reckon I’ve got more out of my
stay than the Baan Dada orphans. But I will definitely do more
volunteering - and Chris later confides that, with short-term
volunteers, that’s secretly the point."
"Did Imogen and I contribute much to Bali Island through our
volunteering? Not enough - we should have spent more time planting
and less birdwatching. I’m sure we got a lot more out of India than
we gave back - and both of us are desperate to go back, especially
if we can repeat the experience of staying in - and becoming part of
- a small community again. But the low impact, sustainable tourism
practised by Help Tourism and Hands Up Holidays is bringing money
into the area, improving education and health services and hopefully
convincing the Indian government that the Sunderbans – and its most
royal resident – are worth preserving."
'Queensland: The turtle rescue centre that gives an insight into
the Aboriginal way of living'
"Aboriginal camp ranger Lawry Booth is utterly passionate about the
turtles – and ensures that our nights are spent on Flinders Beach
wallowing in their majestic presence. We watch as they nest, we
count and measure the turtles' unhatched eggs – noting those that
have been disturbed – and when a nest erupts we count hatchlings
(they feel like warm, soft leather). In between the action, we flop
on the sand and try to locate the Southern Cross in the brightest
star-filled skies I've ever seen."
'Passports, Tickets, Conscience'
"The travel industry, is shaping up to extend the season of giving
and compassion. Volunteering, or “voluntourism” as it is sometimes
known to those with a shorter commitment, is on the rise.... and saw
that rewarding glimmer of light in pupils’ eyes when they realised
they really could converse with a foreigner."
Hands Up Holidays 'Sunderbans Smiles' trip named 'Ultimate Eco
Trip'
"Guests in this brave new breaking-down-the-barriers type of tourism
can spend part of their time spotting flora, fauna and tigers, or on
conservation projects...which means it's a win-win-win situation"
VIDEO!
New Zealand's leading Primetime Current Affairs show, Campbell Live,
made a mini-documentary about our Fiji trips (
View
it here...)
'Avoiding the Guilt Trips on a Feel-Good Holiday'
"The number of people inspired to spend their holidays doing
something for others is rising...Doing something "worthwhile" with
your annual leave has always held a certain appeal for those with a
social conscience: digging a well in an African village, perhaps, or
painting an orphanage in India has got to be a better way to spend
time than lying on a beach topping up the tan.
'Good Times With Good Deeds'
"In just a few days, apart from the practical help, visitors bring
as many insights and as much cultural enlightenment as they take
away. It is a fair exchange and one worth putting your hands up
for."
New Zealand's leading newspaper's travel editor profiles Hands Up
Holidays and its founder, Christopher Hill.
"...Such occasions can be even more rewarding if you're able to give
something back to the community that has made you welcome by doing
something such as - in the case of the Fijian visit - providing
books for the school and clothes for the children."
(
Read
more...) and "This firm provide opportunities for both
sightseeing and aid in places as varied as Tibet, Uganda, Vanuatu,
Guatemala and Laos. After a look around the area, you'll team up
with local aid projects and do jobs like teaching, building, office
work or childcare. On the Borneo trip you'll spend time trekking in
the bush and riding in longboats before working on a community
development project, alternating doing renovations and teaching
English, while staying in the headman's section of the tribal
longhouse every night." (
Read more...)
'Single Divas – Help Clean the Oil Spill Oct 10-16!'
"Are you as sick about the oil spill as the rest of us here at Dating Diva
Daily? Well, then why not put your holiday where your heart is.
Hands Up Holidays, a company that promotes trips with a volunteer-based element
has put together a solo travelers excursion to New Orleans where participants
can enjoy some down time in the French Quarter, help Hurricane Katrina ravaged
New Orleans by boosting tourism AND donate some of their time to containing the
effects of the recent BP oil spill."
