Medical volunteers as accidental tourists: humanitarianism and the European refugee crisis
Article
Paraskevaidis, P. and Andriotis, K. 2024. Medical volunteers as accidental tourists: humanitarianism and the European refugee crisis. Tourism Recreation Research. 49 (2), pp. 361-372. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2021.2011591
Type | Article |
---|---|
Title | Medical volunteers as accidental tourists: humanitarianism and the European refugee crisis |
Authors | Paraskevaidis, P. and Andriotis, K. |
Abstract | This article sheds light on the scarcely mentioned term ‘accidental tourists’ which refers to individuals who travel overseas for other purposes than leisure seeking, and actually engage in recreational and tourist activities after their arrival at the destination. In this regard, this exploratory study examines the experiences of medical volunteers as accidental tourists who provided primary healthcare assistance to refugees hosted in the VIAL refugee camp in Chios Island, Greece, during the European refugee crisis. Primary data were collected with the use of in-depth interviews and non-participant observation. The interview questions focused on medical volunteers’ tourist and recreational activities undertaken in Chios Island, as well as on their perceptions of the political aspects of humanitarian aid. The findings of this study indicate that medical professionals as accidental tourists placed emphasis on the stressful working environment, and tourism was merely a welcome side-effect. Additionally, the concept of accidental tourism is further elaborated regarding the theoretical implications of this study. Practical implications as well as policy recommendations for refugees’ individual autonomy are also discussed. |
Keywords | European refugee crisis; accidental tourism; medical volunteering; humanitarianism |
Publisher | Taylor and Francis |
Journal | Tourism Recreation Research |
ISSN | 0250-8281 |
Electronic | 2320-0308 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 17 Dec 2021 |
03 Mar 2024 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 05 Nov 2021 |
Accepted | 28 Oct 2021 |
Submitted | 23 Jun 2021 |
Output status | Published |
Accepted author manuscript | File Access Level Open |
Copyright Statement | This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Tourism Recreation Research on 17 Dec 2021, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2021.2011591 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2021.2011591 |
Web of Science identifier | WOS:000731237200001 |
Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/89909
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