From Eveningsnews.com
Volunteer Vacations: The New Way To Go
By
Apr 22, 2007, 23:22
(NAPSI)-One of the latest trends in tourism involves traveling somewhere as a volunteer.
A vacation built around volunteering can give travelers the chance to immerse themselves in another culture and build bonds of friendship while making a contribution to the quality of life in a community. In some cases, it may even offer a tax write-off.
A Growing Trend
Seniors and many baby boomers who came of age during the civil rights movement are credited with charting the volunteer vacation course-but younger travelers are jumping on the volunteer bandwagon as well. It's even become a popular way for families to vacation together.
"People are looking at ways to give back, even when they're on vacation. I think it's a natural follow-through for the family who wants to travel together. Whether it's the grandparents or the parents and the grandchildren, volunteer vacations are a great way to do something as a family," says Cheryl Hudak, President and CEO of American Society of Travel Agents.
Helping At Home And Abroad
A volunteer vacation can take a number of forms. For instance, vacationers can teach English to Hungarian children, nurture orphaned children in Ecuador or help save lives by providing basic health care screenings in countries around the world.
Within the United States, volunteers can tutor the children of immigrants in Minnesota, construct playgrounds for Blackfeet Indians in Montana, help deprived Appalachian families start fresh in West Virginia, work with senior citizens on an Indian reservation in South Dakota or restore community buildings in Mississippi and more.
Smart Way To Travel
For a budget-conscious college student who wants to see the world, a volunteer vacation can be a great way to go overseas. Students can soak in the gorgeous South African sunset and learn how to protect dolphins, whales, seals and seabirds. Or they can venture to Costa Rica and get their hands dirty rebuilding homes.
You can speak with a travel agent who is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents. Members can often help set up volunteer programs, make it possible to save money on airfare and offer some exciting ideas for a traveler's free time.
To learn more, visit the Web site at www.travelsense.org.
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