Scholarly record

VOLUNTEERING: TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT IN ECOLOGICAL TOURISM

P. Natalia, F. Alexander, V. Olga, K. Tatiana

Abstract

The article presents the main results of the development of a range of proposals for the development of volunteering in tourism in Russia, provided that typical risks and threats caused by this phenomenon are reduced. Volunteering in tourism is a rather complicated topic. It includes many ethical, organizational, legal, economic and other aspects. There are two main components in it: volunteering at tourist sites, as well as volunteer tourism (voluntourism) and other types of tourism that have a volunteer element. Practice shows that both directions are expanding in Russia, but the volunteering on sites involved in the industry of ecological, rural and green tourism develops most dynamically. World experience allowed experts to prove the positive impact of volunteering on the sustainable development of tourism and the social and economic situation in local areas. At the same time scientists identified typical risks and threats, which are usually a consequence of the development of volunteering in tourism. With the growth of the activity of the volunteer movement in Russian tourism, it becomes advisable to create conditions that contribute to reducing the negative consequences of influence on the ecological and socio-cultural environment of the territory. The authors analyzed the organization of volunteer projects implemented in the field of ecotourism in various regions of Russia, including in Karelia, North Ossetia, Pskov region, in Kamchatka and Altai. It is shown that in many cases a training of volunteers does not meet the expectations of organizers and tourists. The necessity of improving quality, information availability and transparency of volunteer activity is justified taking into account the world experience. Proposals for the development of volunteer infrastructure in tourism, providing conditions for effective interaction and exchange of professional experience of volunteers, volunteer organizations, volunteer organizers, as well as charity recipients are presented.

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