What to Look for in a Credible Humanitarian Travel Agency

We all take time off for vacations, but the essence of travel has changed. People are no longer traveling for leisure alone. Now, tourists want to give back when they travel. Service vacations have gone from niche travel to mainstream tourism.

Just twenty years ago we did not have terms like “ecotourism” and “service vacation.” Humanitarian travel agencies help facilitate meaningful journeys, but how is one to know whether the agency they choose to travel with is a reputable one?

How Service Vacations Evolved

It wasn’t until the 21^st century that volunteer travel as we know it today came into being. Back then, vacationing to give back was only for a certain kind of traveler. And even then, it was often nothing more than backpackers exchanging their time for lodging or meals. Sure, there were a few organizations working in the space back then, but it was not something that people equated with “travel.”

Today, volunteering abroad has evolved into a booming sector and exists separate from the broader adventure and leisure travel segments. Whether you want to travel solo, in a group, or as a family, there are more options than ever before. Service vacations are not just an activity for the financially secure or retirees, they have gained broad appeal with students and middle-income families.

Service vacations now encompass a wide range of activities, whether you want to volunteer for environmental or social causes. Many of these categories fall under the umbrella of “sustainable tourism.” When researching service vacation opportunities, you may find things like:

• Ecotourism
• Green tourism
• Rural tourism
• Agrotourism
• Community tourism

These are just a few examples you will encounter as you are looking into a service vacation for you or your family. Now, the question is, how do you find a humanitarian travel agency you can trust? Not all humanitarian organizations are created equal.

Top Tips for Figuring Out How to Give Back

Actually figuring out what kind of service vacation you want to take can be daunting. The many options available for different types of humanitarian travel can be almost dizzying. Knowing how to properly research whether an organization is reputable might seem like a tall order. But don’t worry, it’s not.

Consider the following questions when you research where your next service vacation should take you:

• The Issues: You should know what issues are important to you. Once you have identified the issue or cause you want to support, you can begin researching the various humanitarian travel agencies available to you.
• Your Skills: What are your special skills or interests? Do you enjoy working with wildlife or young people? What you are good at should help you figure out how you want to give back.
• Your Hobbies: While hobbies may seem inconsequential when making a big travel and volunteerism decision, they are very relevant when choosing your service vacation. If playing with kids is a hobby of yours, perhaps working with them in a service capacity would be a good idea.
• Career/Life Goals: In many cases, your career choice may mesh well with how you want to volunteer. And if one of your life goals is to give back to a cause you believe in, there may not be a better time than now.

There are other factors you must consider, from balancing your schedule to transportation and logistics. But the most important factors are those governing how you choose to give back and who you choose to partner with.

Researching a Humanitarian Travel Agency

Humanitarian travel agencies have popped up all over the globe and for good reason. They answer the call to provide travel services for those who want to give back when they take a vacation. The problem is, how do you know which ones are reputable? All too often we hear horror stories of people who signed up to volunteer with a company peddling a scam.

To avoid finding yourself, your group, or your family at the receiving end of a travel scam, you’ve got to conduct your due diligence before signing up. Consider the following factors when researching the humanitarian travel agency you want to work with:

• Year Established: When were they established? Companies that have been around for a long time are likely more trustworthy than those started very recently.
• Social Media Presence: We live in the age of social media. Is the company you are researching active on social media? If not, it may be a sign they are not as reputable as you thought.
• Online Presence: Do they have a web page? If so, is it clear and does it adequately explain their programs and pricing, if applicable? Also check to see if they have a Google Listing with reviews. Positive reviews are a good sign you are working with a reputable organization.
• References/Testimonials: While online reviews are important, many organizations can provide references or testimonials from partners or past participants. A lack of positive feedback for the company and their operation is not a good sign.
• Public Information: Do not hesitate to investigate any public information available on the company, whether through online resources or state databases.

While there are certainly other factors, these are the most important. In the end, it is important that you don’t just sign up for a trip because it sounds good to you. Service vacations are not commitments you should take lightly, but as long as you conduct proper due diligence, you can rest assured you have chosen a reputable humanitarian travel agency.