Code of Good Practice: Volunteer Tourism

As part of our commitment to advancing sustainable tourism, we encourage our tourism partners to improve their sustainability performance by providing them with the guidance below.

• Ensure applicable legal permits are in place, including at host projects
• Ensure insurance is in place for volunteers and team
• Identify health & safety risks, implement management systems, and provide appropriate
  safety equipment
• Ensure enough team members are available in case of emergency
• Monitor activity area conditions in advance & during the activity
• Conduct background checks for volunteer placements with vulnerable groups, and only consider this when volunteers have relevant expertise
• Implement necessary safeguards for placements with vulnerable groups, including supervision and ensuring separate overnight accommodation for volunteers
• Prohibit placements where volunteers are primary caregivers at vulnerable group facilities
• Screen volunteers to make sure that placement is a match for their skills and interests
• Ensuring continuity of program objectives after volunteer placements, e.g., through partnerships with existing initiatives
• Engage host project in design and management of volunteer program, including number and selection of volunteers
• Maximize local economic benefits through employment and supporting local businesses
• Work with, not instead of, local people, ensuring skills transfer to host project
• Provide transparency regarding proportion of total fee paid to host project
• Provide information in advance about the project’s longer-term sustainability vision, activity accessibility, what to expect, and what to bring with
• Obtain written confirmation, e.g., via indemnity, that participants are aware of activity risks
• Brief participants about do’s and don’ts, safety, what to expect, applicable etiquette / conduct to be respectful of, and logistical considerations before the placement begins
• Share information about local nature and culture, and social development / conservation projects that participants may want to support
• Provide meaningful placement content so that the experience is rewarding for all parties
• Provide local supervision / contact point for volunteers
• Avoid single use & disposable items, provide adequate waste collection facilities for safe disposal, and pick up rubbish in the local area
• Be waterwise and take pro-active measures to use water sparingly
• Minimize energy used in the activity as part of a climate action strategy
• Obtain feedback at end of placement debriefing
• Maintain communication with volunteers, sending organisations, and host projects after placements
• Contribute to conserving activity area integrity; let relevant authorities know about any concerns and participate in rehabilitation projects