Voluntourism Motivation Scale

What it measures

Measures the five motivational dimensions underlying volunteer tourism participation. Altruism captures the desire to help communities and environments in need. Cultural Learning captures motivation to immerse oneself in and learn about local cultures. Personal Development captures self-growth, skill acquisition, and enhancement of personal or professional credentials. Social Interaction captures motivation to connect with like-minded volunteers. Travel & Exploration captures the tourism and adventure dimensions — experiencing new destinations while doing something meaningful. Voluntourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism market, and understanding motivational heterogeneity is essential for sustainable programme design and critique of superficial 'voluntourism lite' engagement.

Representative items

• I want to help local communities in need. (Altruism)
• I want to contribute positively to the lives of others. (Altruism)
• I want to learn about local cultures firsthand. (Cultural Learning)
• I want to develop new personal skills through volunteering. (Personal Development)
• I want to meet people who share my values and interests. (Social Interaction)

Citation

Lo, A.S., & Lee, C.Y.S. (2011). Motivations and perceived value of volunteer tourists from Hong Kong. Tourism Management, 32(2), 326–334.