Much more than voluntourism: the altruistic volunteer tourism motivation and experience in Israel

Volunteer tourism is becoming increasingly popular among tourists in different parts of the world. The study’s objective is to understand the motives and experiences of volunteer tourists in Israel. Findings indicate that motives for volunteering could be located along various axes –motives of altruism vs. motives of personal benefit; universal vs. particularistic motives; and volunteering-oriented vs. tourism-oriented motives. The volunteer tourist in Israel undergoes a hybrid experience characterised by different elements – relating to the volunteering endeavour itself, to the tourist experience, and to the general experience – all of which crystallise into an integrated multidimensional experience. Volunteers with a unique connection to Israel were found to have unique and slightly different motives and experiences. Volunteering contributes to personal change, to the development of personal abilities, and to awareness of and sensitivity toward underprivileged populations; and it can also lead to a positive change in volunteers' stance on Israel and Israeli society.