BUV Head of The Graduate School’s research expands the global perspective on voluntourism beyond the Western world
Mar 10, 2025
12:21:25
Dr. Simon Kimber, Head of School, The Graduate School at BUV, and his colleagues have contributed to global tourism research with their latest publication in Current Issues in Tourism, a leading journal ranked in the 99%-97% Scopus quartile. Their paper, “Chinese voluntourist gaze: a self-reflective perspective,” published by Taylor & Francis, explores how young Chinese international volunteers reflect on their experiences. This research addresses a critical gap in voluntourism studies, which have traditionally focused on Western perspectives.
Dr. Simon Kimber, Head of School, The Graduate School
Dr. Kimber’s research challenges the dominant Western narrative in voluntourism studies, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and globally representative understanding of volunteer travel. By expanding the discourse to include perspectives from emerging economies, this study paves the way for further research on how cultural backgrounds shape voluntourism experiences and impact host communities in different ways.
Using Urry’s gaze theory, the study identifies three key phases in how Chinese voluntourists perceive their journeys: an initial ‘othering’ of host destinations, a shift toward deeper cultural understanding, and a final stage of moral self-reflection. These findings offer valuable insights for the tourism industry, development organizations, and policymakers, helping to shape more ethical and meaningful voluntourism programs. By understanding how Chinese voluntourists engage with and interpret their experiences, stakeholders can design initiatives that ensure a more balanced and responsible exchange between volunteers and host communities.
As Head of The Graduate School at BUV, Dr. Kimber is committed to fostering impactful research that drives meaningful academic and industry discussions. Reflecting on the significance of this study, he shared: “This research is significant because until now, volunteer tourism has been considered predominantly a Western phenomenon. So far, little attention has been paid to volunteers from emerging countries and how they reflect on their volunteering experiences.”
Dr. Kimber also presented this research at the 4th Atlas Critical Tourism Studies Asia Pacific Conference, further reinforcing BUV’s role in shaping global academic discussions on tourism and cross-cultural engagement. The study underscores BUV’s commitment to high-quality research that not only expands academic knowledge but also contributes to industry best practices and global discourse.
Access the full paper here.
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