WITH voluntourism becoming a hot topic, travel consultants and visitors are urged to steer clear from orphanage tourism as it exposes children to exploitation.
Amy McLoughlin, responsible tourism awards manager & associate specialist, Wild Asia, said: “Orphanage tourism is most common in Cambodia, where tourists may be approached by children, asking them to make a visit to their orphanage (and make) a small donation towards the upkeep of their home.
“Most commonly the children in question are exposed to exploitation, and the begging culture does not equate to a sustainable future for the centre or its inhabitants.
“Shockingly, there have also been reports of some establishments where children have been bought from families to be placed in fake orphanages to work in heartstring-tugging roles to generate money,” she added.
While the number of orphans in Cambodia has declined over the past 10 years, orphanages have more than doubled, and almost three-quarters of “orphans” still have at least one living parent, according to UNICEF.
As a result of the controversy surrounding orphanage tourism in Cambodia, several tour operators are now adopting a no-go stance.
Despite receiving a handful of such requests each month, Cambodia-based A Touch Of Asia refuses to take any tours or individuals to orphanages or schools, revealed general manager, Steve Lidgey. “There is considerable evidence from international specialists that visiting an orphanage can do more harm than good,” he said.
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