What do travelers want from their travels these days?

Travel providers are seeing demand for the following:

Looking to blend a European vacation on a luxury cruise liner with volunteer work?

This fall Crystal Cruises offers guests the opportunity to give back in Valletta, Malta on selected Crystal Serenity voyages. The Republic of Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of the Italian island of Sicily. This is perfect…

A recent New York Times article on volunteerism raised the question whether voluntourism – travel and do good abroad – is “simply an act of of affluent tourism masquerading as community service?”

This skepticism is not new. Variations have been circulated by critics and cynics of voluntourism who say that if you truly have the desire to help, why not just volunteer at home, in your local communities.

Volunteerism is fast becoming a national past time. People are vying to be involved in volunteer work, some out of a spirit of charity, others out of a sense of responsibility, and still others as the thing to do.

Volunteerism’s growing popularity draws its share of cynicism…

Five years since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans remains a city that needs rebuilding with added challenges from the recent oil spill in the Gulf. Looking to lend a hand while in New Orleans?

Marriott has announced a new voluntourism program called “Spirit To Serve New Orleans” that makes helping out easy for both business and leisure travelers.

As part of its 20th anniversary commemorating its founding, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) has launched the annual Innovation Leadership in Sustainable Tourism Awards to recognize innovative leadership of individuals and organizations who promote sustainable tourism that results in tangible benefits to communities and conservation. TIES is the world’s oldest and largest association dedicated to promoting ecotourism.

From ChaCha, a service that answers questions, comes a great interactive infographic that gives you the scoop on voluntourism all in one page!

This simple chart provides history and perspective on the voluntourism market by answering the following questions:

Part of traveling responsibly is being cultural sensitive. As travelers tour a foreign country, we may inadvertently offend a local and never realized it! Popular gestures at home can have completely different meanings abroad.