Date of Award

Spring 5-2019

Degree Type

Honors College Thesis

Department

Interdisciplinary Studies

First Advisor

Joseph Weinberg

Advisor Department

Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs

Abstract

In our increasingly globalized world, people have more access to each other than ever before. With the plight of those in faraway places more visible now, people have demonstrated a desire to help. In the last twenty years, the industry known as volunteer tourism has grown exponentially. From its roots as an eco-friendly alternative, this industry has evolved into a multibillion-dollar global phenomenon. As volunteer tourism evolved, many different subsets of this concept emerged. One of which includes the idea of a mini-mission. The mini-mission is traditionally a short, volunteer tourism trip, however, it also includes some religious aspects. Academics who study volunteer tourism have been debating for years what is the primary motivation for volunteer tourists to participate in these programs, with two camps firmly entrenched on both sides: altruistic v. self-interest. In my study, I seek to understand the motivations of those who participate in mini-mission trips.

Included in

Tourism Commons

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