Hodnocení ekonomických a společensko-kulturních přínosů dobrovolnického turismu pro udržitelný rozvoj hostitelských komunit

This master thesis aims to evaluate volunteer tourism participants' economic and socio-cultural benefits to the sustainable development of host communities in Prague and the land of Salzburg. The thesis provides a systematic overview of volunteer tourism including the measurability of its economic impacts and the role of volunteering in sustainable development of destinations. Qualitative research methods in the form of in-depth interviews with volunteer project coordinators and volunteer tourists were used to reach the goals of the thesis. To determine the economic value of volunteer work, the activities performed by volunteers are matched with internationally recognised types of employment to which average hourly wages are assigned. These data are then compared with the economic performance of conventional tourists according to regional satellite accounts for Prague and Salzburg. To assess the socio-cultural benefits of volunteer tourism and its impact on the local community, the “community capital model” according to Zahra and McGehee is used, focusing on forming social capital between volunteer tourists and members of host communities. The results of the thesis point to a greater financial contribution of conventional tourists to the destination and a more important role of volunteer tourists in the sustainable development of host communities by increasing their intercultural understanding and open-mindedness to foreign cultures represented by volunteers. In addition, organisations integrate volunteering activities into their operations to increase the added value of their activity for the final beneficiaries The greatest contribution to the sustainable development of a destination is achieved through short-term volunteer projects that bring long-term and tangible changes that benefit local people. The research results can be used to meet the needs of organisations hosting European volunteers in the Czech Republic.