Destinations known | Voluntourism and the white saviour complex: travellers may be doing more harm than good

Natural disasters such as the devastating series of earthquakes and subsequent tsunami that hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on September 28, leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced, rightfully spark an outpouring of compassion and charitable donations.

For some people, though, that isn’t sufficient, and slacktivism – supporting a cause without moving from the comfort of the couch – doesn’t go far enough, either. Instead, they want to get their hands dirty and make a “real difference”. Enter the voluntourist.

Of all the tourism subtypes, voluntourism is touted as the most meaningful, offering the earnest traveller the opportunity to improve the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. However, debate abounds as to whether this approach to travelling – particularly popular among Western tourists – does more harm than good, serving to reinforce the “white-saviour industrial complex” rather than the communities supposedly in need.

Estimates as to the size of the industry vary, although it is believed that millions enlist in programmes each year, making it a multibillion-dollar enterprise. A quick Google search for “volunteer Asia” returns a staggering 79 million results, trumpeting projects in Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and beyond, with orphanages topping the search terms.

Author J.K. Rowling has often spoken out against voluntourism

“There is no such thing as a ‘good’ orphanage,” according to a September 13 article in British newspaper The Guardian. “Eighty years of research confirms that children do best in a family,” the report continues. This is supported by ReThink Orphanages Network, an Australian organisation that aims to end the unnecessary institutionalisation of children by changing the way individuals and companies engage with international aid and development.