Crafting Educational Vacations that Benefit the Traveler and Host Community

Photo by GLP

The travel industry saw a record amount of travelers booking their “post-COVID” trips in 2021, and this explosion of travel isn’t looking like it is going to stop anytime soon. But, the travel industry is changing--with rising inflation and cost of living prices, people are looking less for the all-inclusive vacation and, instead, are seeking authentic, fulfilling vacations that won’t drain their bank accounts. The solution: educational vacations. 

Educational vacations are trips away from home that allow travelers to see and enrich their knowledge of other parts of the world by touring museums, serving in local communities, learning the local language, offering their skills for use, or some combination of it all. To some, the idea of not relaxing on an exotic island beach while on vacation is unthinkable; but the truth is, you can still do that! Educational vacations are a low-cost and high-reward alternative to the typical vacation for the average traveler. These travelers commit their time abroad to learning about and serving the local community. Oftentimes these travelers will live with host families within the community and learn all the local spots. It just might be that exotic island beach you’ve been dreaming about, or it could be any number of different places around the world because there are endless options for the educational vacation!

When we are bombarded with images of poverty, disaster, and war, many of us want to do more than watch from afar. Educational vacations have seen rapid growth in recent years because of international disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy and the earthquake in Haiti. In the last year alone, 1.6 million travelers have poured over 2 billion dollars into the educational vacation industry. The motivation to care for and help humanity and nature is intrinsic to the psyche of the adventure traveler. We are being challenged on a daily basis to consider the world outside of our front door, to play a role in making the world a better place, and to become active global citizens. Educational vacations build upon these three pillars and aim to benefit not only the traveler but the destination and community that is hosting the traveler. 

Photo by GLP

As a traveler, these types of vacations are unique. The logistical side is much easier and cheaper than your typical all-inclusive vacation because accommodation, transportation, and the actual service you will be providing are pre-arranged and paid for with your program fee. When you arrive, you’ll immediately be immersed into the local culture: you’ll eat where locals eat, shop where the locals shop, and celebrate how locals celebrate (the most memorable part!). When it comes time to depart, you will often feel more fulfilled because you contributed to a worthwhile cause and might have made some lifelong relationships along the way. Research has shown that volunteering leads to higher life satisfaction and lower rates of depression, as well as better physical health and a longer life.

But the truth is, the main focus of these educational vacations should not be the traveler, but rather  the destination community itself. Communities all around the world need support for  community projects, ecological restoration, and teaching skills. Having volunteers to help them complete these goals can be a great opportunity. Additionally, when people come to a destination, they are putting money into the local economies and creating jobs by purchasing gifts at shops, buying food at local restaurants, and taking tours run by local guides. 

It is important to remember that these people are not on vacation; our vacation destinations are their neighborhoods. As the industry transitions towards more sustainable and fair travel, thought needs to be given to what makes a good educational travel program. Programs should not take jobs from local people, should be done for the right reasons (not financial or virtue signaling), and the benefits should be felt by the community for long after the volunteers have left. 

Photo by GLP

Starting from the destination, the first step begins way before the program is set to begin: planning. Involving residents in tourism planning can help give the community a sense of ownership over the program. In turn, the travelers will have a more fruitful experience  and the community will get projects that actually need to be done, done! Tourism planning within a community can look different depending on the community, but some examples include: community meetings, stakeholder engagement, and talks with people in local positions of power. Community-driven planning also allows the opportunity to foresee any difficulties or hardships that may arise throughout the program and allows travelers to plan accordingly. 

The second requirement of a well-planned program is the volunteers. Shaping travelers into better learners and better volunteers will happen naturally throughout the program. Even so, it is important to adequately prepare them for what they are about to experience because it might be contrastingly different from what they are accustomed to in their daily lives. Encouraging volunteers to do their “baseline research” into the local history, culture, and language can make the transition significantly easier. Volunteers should also be encouraged to research the specific issues that the program is addressing; it will help to better understand the history and what the impact of their service might be. This information is often very complex and culturally nuanced, so travelers are is not expected to understand everything; however, a baseline knowledge can craft a better experience. 

As stakeholders in the outdoor industry, it is our responsibility to do our part as we transition to more sustainable ways of travel. Actively preparing our communities and our travelers is important in crafting the “win-win” situation that educational vacations are supposed to be. As organizations creating these programs, we must be actively monitoring and evaluating the impact and effect of our programs. If it is not beneficial or to one or both sides of the program, we need to be prepared to change it drastically or cut the program altogether.

Photo by GLP

Creating mutually-beneficial relationships between organizations, travelers, and host destinations is the most important pillar in crafting meaningful educational vacations. Healthy relationships allow travelers to walk away with new knowledge and a sense of fulfillment and communities are able to walk away with new skills and completed projects. We should be thinking about giving these communities a “hand-up,” not a “hand-out.”