engleski

CAN VOLUNTOURISM BECOME A CHANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERDEVELOPED AREAS OF CROATIA?

Volunteers expect an experience that is beneficial to them and the community they are visiting, which is why volunteering is considered transformative as it involves educated tourists. A high-quality volunteering model contributes to the development of volunteering and tourism in the tourist destination, the well-being and improvement of the quality of life of the local population, and the competitiveness of the tourist offer of the destination. The methodological framework of this paper required extensive and detailed research since the concept of volunteerism is still underdeveloped in Croatia. Theoretical framework is based of available secondary data sources. Primary dana was collected through extensive qualitative research, the implementation of in-depth interviews with members of NGO-s active in tourism, tourism specialists and academics. Results of the research showed that numerous obstacles for developing of voluntarist camps in Croatia still exist, and they are: lack of accommodation availabilities and capacities, lack of regulations, administration obstacles in sector of traveling organization, lack of subvention for this type of tourism and lack of cooperation between potential shareholders of this alternative form of tourist supply Due to the unequal interest in the development of this form of tourism in Croatia, it would be marginal for the time being and could not have a substantial positive impact on regional development. Respondents believe, that for the successful development of a volunteer camp in Croatia, old and abandoned buildings should be revitalized for the purpose of being converted into volunteer camps in order to create a national network which could have a wider impact on economic development of regions. Benefits of setting up volunteer camps would be to foster creativity, innovation and imagination of trainees and fostering ecocentric awareness, a culture of collaboration, understanding, togetherness, tolerance, and communication among people.

sustainable development ; voluntourism ; altruism ; region ; development

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