Volunteer tourism motivations of the Marine Conservation Cambodia project

Abstract

The current study explores what motivational factors contribute to ‘gap year’ volunteering as part of the Marine Conservation Cambodia programme. Results indicated that the top two motivations for currently volunteering were project-based (marine conservation) and new learning experiences (understanding). However, career and social factors were significant predictors of repeat experience in a marine conservation (MC) programme in their home country and overseas, indicating a sense of aspiring to ‘make a difference’ to the programme. Further understanding of this emerging factor will enable greater insight into the motives of MC volunteer tourists and aid in the worldwide conservation of fragile eco-systems.

Keywords:

• volunteering
• tourism
• Cambodia
• career
• gap year
• volunteer functions inventory (VFI)