Visitors wanting to make their vacations even more meaningful should check out the Idaho Division of Tourism’s new Voluntourism program. Launched under the tourism marketing umbrella as yet another way to inform visitors and citizens about the opportunities available in Idaho, Voluntourism is a concept that is gaining momentum worldwide.
Voluntourism integrates the best of travel and tourism – arts, culture, geography, heritage sites, the natural environment, and recreation – with the opportunity to serve and enhance the destination – its people, places, and things.
The new Voluntourism site, www.visitidaho.org/voluntourism, offers information about opportunities throughout the state. Eventually, Idaho tourism attractions and events will add their own volunteering needs to their current listings on the state site.
“We have unique events such as the Special Olympics World Winter Games who are in need of host families and communities as well as annual events like Ride Idaho, Ironman in Coeur d’Alene and Boise and the Idaho Rally that need volunteer and spectator support. Even local community events need volunteers and would welcome an extra hand flipping pancakes” said Karen Ballard, Administrator for the Idaho Division of Tourism. “Campgrounds need hosts, rivers need clean-up, and trails need maintenance. These are all assets that are listed on the state tourism website www.visitidaho.org so it was not a stretch to include their need for volunteers.”
The new element to the state tourism site also links to the volunteering pages of Idaho Parks and Recreation, the Forest Services’ Passport in Time program and the Idaho page of Take Pride in America®.
“The number one reason people come to Idaho is to visit friends and family and the second reason is for recreation. What a great way to get our visitors, both in-state and out-of-state, involved in our communities,” said Ballard.
For more information on other Voluntourism opportunities:
www.voluntourism.org
www.usaservice.org
