voluntourism

noun

vol·​un·​tour·​ism ˌvä-lən-ˈtu̇r-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce voluntourism (audio)
: the act or practice of doing volunteer work as needed in the community where one is vacationing
voluntourist
ˌvä-lən-ˈtu̇r-ist How to pronounce voluntourism (audio)
noun

Examples of voluntourism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For Madeleine, what started as voluntourism in Mexico continued into volunteering at home. — Allison Tibaldi, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024 Both the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, and Fairmont Kea Lan) partner with the Hawaii Land Trust for voluntourism opportunities on the Waihe‘e coastal dunes. — John Wogan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

blend of volunteer entry 3 and tourism

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of voluntourism was in 1991

Browse Nearby Words

volunteerism
voluntourism
volupté
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Voluntourism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voluntourism. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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