Lake Powell is benefiting from a trend where tourists want to volunteer while on vacation.
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In recent years, news sites that track travel trends have noticed significant growth among travelers who do volunteer work in the areas to where they travel. The movement is being called responsible tourism or voluntourism.
Voluntourism is a direct response against another growing trend in tourism: the “see it before it’s gone” mentality. Many of the world’s most popular destinations are being loved to death and becoming worn out by the sheer numbers of people traveling there to see them. And when qualities that once made the place special have been trampled out of it, travelers then seek out new places that haven’t yet been overrun.
But the love it and leave it model of traveling is becoming outdated and attitudes about place are shifting. According to the 2016 report from the Center for Responsible Travel, more travelers and tourists want to get involved and work to preserve the features that make the destination special.
The study shows that voluntourism is particularly popular with Millenials.
“Young people are living more structured lives than ever before, and as we move toward 2020, the days of carefree, spontaneous travel will disappear in favor of more organized, planned and researched trips,” said John Constable, managing director for STA Travel. “Students and young travelers will continue to be trailblazers, craving adventure and experiences they can share, but they will also be very aware of how their travel will contribute to the rest of their lives. Working abroad, voluntary and conservation projects, and learning something new will all be high on the travel agenda.”