Motivation to Participate in Voluntourism Activity in Malaysia
List of Authors
Amirshazril Tarmizi, Izwan Harith Md Ithnan, Nur Hidayah Abd Rahman, Nurul Nadirah Abu Hasan, Siti Salwa Md Sawari
Keyword
Volunteer Motivation, Volunteer Tourism, Voluntourism Malaysia
Abstract
This paper explores the motivations driving volunteers to participate in volunteer tourism (Voluntourism) activities in Malaysia. A quantitative research approach was employed, collecting data from volunteer tourists through an online questionnaire. The study gathered responses from 150 participants, including local and international volunteers. The findings reveal that the primary motivation for participating in volunteer tourism in Malaysia is altruism, with volunteers primarily motivated by a desire to help underprivileged communities and contribute to environmental conservation. This is followed by motivations related to career development, the pursuit of novelty, personal interest development, and travel experiences. A significant limitation of this study is the limited scope of volunteer tourism activities in Malaysia, as the country is a less popular destination for such activities compared to some of its Southeast Asian counterparts. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing volunteer motivations, which can be leveraged to attract more volunteers and support the growth of the volunteer tourism industry and trends in Malaysia.