The Trend of Volunteer Travel Expected To Continue In 2012

(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 10, 2012 ) LONGWOOD, Fl.Â—Volunteer travel, a travel trend that has garnered significant media recognition in recent years is expected to continue through 2012, and many travel providers have responded to the demand for the growing trend in volunteer vacations. Award-winning volunteer organization Biosphere Expeditions has remained an industry leader throughout the creation and growth of the volunteer travel industry, offering hands-on volunteer vacations for more than 10 years. With exciting new offerings as well as classic volunteer expeditions, Biosphere Expeditions will continue to lead the charge for the volunteer travel trend in 2012.

With recent media accolades in major publications, Biosphere Expeditions continues to be at the forefront of the volunteer travel industry with their award-winning volunteer wildlife conservation programs. Biosphere ExpeditionsÂ’ Namibia Big Cat Expedition was recently named to the Wall Street JournalÂ’s Â“Best In Volunteer Travel 2012Â” list and their Altai Snow Leopard Expedition was included in an article about Â“Trips That Help AnimalsÂ” by Afar Magazine. In Outside Magazine, Biosphere ExpeditionsÂ’ diving volunteer vacation in the Maldives was named on the magazineÂ’s annual Â“Hot ListÂ”.

With the launch of new Sampler Days in select US national and state parks in NY, CO & CA, and brand new volunteer wildlife expeditions to Dubai, Malaysia, and Peru, 2012 brings ample offerings for volunteer vacationers. Biosphere ExpeditionsÂ’ celebrated volunteer vacations connect average travellers with real scientists and biologists Â“in the fieldÂ”, to do hands-on research that has a positive impact on wildlife and ecosystems in destinations throughout the world.

Dr. Matthias Hammer, renowned explorer, Biosphere Expeditions founder and executive director is delighted with the recognition received in the USA and all over the world. Â“WeÂ’ve worked hard to be one of the industry leaders and itÂ’s great to see voluntourism taking off in this way. But this has its drawbacks too as purely commercial and frankly unethical operators are trying to jump on the bandwagon to cash in on an altruistic trendÂ”. Hammer continues, Â“this causes confusion and is why we have created a list of Top Ten Tips on how to chose a wildlife volunteering vacation together with renowned partners such as the Born Free Foundation and Tourism ConcernÂ”. The Top Ten Tips are available at www.biosphere-expeditions.org/toptentips.

For more information about Biosphere Expeditions and volunteer vacations, visit www.biosphere-expeditions.org or contact Stephanie Parnell at Stephanie@adventuremedianews.com. The Top Ten Tips on how to chose a wildlife volunteering vacation are at www.biosphere-expeditions.org/toptentips .

Biosphere Expeditions
CONTACT: Stephanie Parnell
TEL: 832-755-7661
E-MAIL: Stephanie@adventuremedianews.com
WEB: www.biosphere-expeditions.org

Biosphere Expeditions
Stephanie Parnell
832-755-7661
stephanie@adventuremedianews.com