TOURISM Malaysia is making its first concerted effort to woo volunteer tourists, namely travellers who wish to contribute to the community or to the preservation of wildlife in a destination through volunteer activities.
The NTO has put together 20 voluntourism packages developed by seven local tour operators that offer travellers volunteer opportunities at places such as turtle conservation centres, orang utan rehabilitation centres, children’s homes and national parks.
Introductory offerings vary in length, from the 4D3N Sea Turtle Adoption Programme in Sarawak priced at RM1,200 (US$368) per pax, to the 28D27N Borneo Native Programme in Penampang, Sabah at RM2,980 per pax.
While volunteer tourism itself is not new and has been promoted by inbound tour operators for years, this marks the NTO’s first proactive promotion of this segment.
Tourism Malaysia director-general, Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, said offerings would be expanded further in future to showcase more packages from more tour operators.
The NTO is targeting Malaysia’s local expatriate community; researchers from around the world; and international schools, especially those in Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Australia.
A total of 10,000 voluntourism brochures have been produced and will be distributed to the trade and consumers from key markets.
Said Mirza: “We’ll be happy to have 500 takers within the first six months.”
