Amman, Jordan – The Kingdom of Jordan may be able to tap a wealth of cultural assets through “voluntourism”, according to tourism industry experts.
David Clemmons, an expert on the niche market and editor of the e-trade publication Voluntourist, said the concept caters to those who would like to leave a lasting impact on the community they visit.
“It wasn’t until voluntourism that we as travellers could express our gratitude,” Clemmons told The Jordan Times.
“There is a need not only to take something back home, but to leave something behind, to leave a piece of the traveler. This is where we see this market heading,” he said.
The concept originated with Western backpackers staying with families in South America and looking for ways to help the local community, according to industry leaders.
Over the past decade, the voluntourism market has grown, with tourists engaging in volunteer activities on all five continents, ranging from building local schools to aiding in harvests.
The 2009 Forecast Poll by Travelocity.com revealed that 13 percent of travelers planned on including volunteer service as a part of their leisure itineraries last year.
According to Clemmons, Jordan has a culture of “hospitality” that can be marketed to facilitate several different types of voluntourism exchanges, and raise the Kingdom’s profile as a stand-alone destination. The types of activities offered, however, NGOs have to determine, he added.