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
TypeArticle
TitleMedical volunteers as accidental tourists: humanitarianism and the European refugee crisis
AuthorsParaskevaidis, 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.

KeywordsEuropean refugee crisis; accidental tourism; medical volunteering; humanitarianism
PublisherTaylor and Francis
JournalTourism Recreation Research
ISSN0250-8281
Electronic2320-0308
Publication dates
Online17 Dec 2021
Print03 Mar 2024
Publication process dates
Deposited05 Nov 2021
Accepted28 Oct 2021
Submitted23 Jun 2021
Output statusPublished
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 identifierWOS:000731237200001
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/89909

  • 72
    total views
  • 50
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Does user-generated video content motivate individuals to visit a destination? A non-visitor typology
Zaim, I., Stylidis, D., Andriotis, K. and Thickett, A. 2024. Does user-generated video content motivate individuals to visit a destination? A non-visitor typology. Journal of Vacation Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1177/13567667241268369
Determining the model of tourism business district (TBD) in coastal resorts: a case study of Turkey
Andriotis, K., Usun, Ç. and Dinç, Y. 2023. Determining the model of tourism business district (TBD) in coastal resorts: a case study of Turkey. Geographical Review. https://doi.org/10.1080/00167428.2023.2174436
Artist residencies as specialist accommodation: Cultural entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic
Andriotis, K. and Paraskevaidis, P. 2023. Artist residencies as specialist accommodation: Cultural entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. 35 (5), pp. 1738-1758. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-10-2021-1261
Typology of art produced by travelling artists: art-led regeneration of a historic urban environment
Andriotis, K. 2022. Typology of art produced by travelling artists: art-led regeneration of a historic urban environment. Tourism Culture & Communication. 22 (4), pp. 305-319. https://doi.org/10.3727/109830422X16420405391952
Negotiated exchanges in the online hospitality market: Hoteliers and hotel managers' perceptions of Booking.com
Andriotis, K. and Paraskevaidis, P. 2021. Negotiated exchanges in the online hospitality market: Hoteliers and hotel managers' perceptions of Booking.com. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 97, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2021.103010
Heritage destination love
Andriotis, K., Foroudi, P. and Marvi, R. 2021. Heritage destination love. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal. 24 (2), pp. 240-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/QMR-03-2020-0038
Traveling artists’ roles: an asynchronous email interview
Andriotis, K. 2021. Traveling artists’ roles: an asynchronous email interview. Tourism Analysis. 26 (4), pp. 307-318. https://doi.org/10.3727/108354220X15959901296171
Residents' perceptions of airport construction impacts: a negativity bias approach
Monterrubio, C., Andriotis, K. and Rodríguez-Muñoz, G. 2020. Residents' perceptions of airport construction impacts: a negativity bias approach. Tourism Management. 77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2019.103983
Altruism in tourism: social exchange theory vs altruistic surplus phenomenon in host volunteering
Paraskevaidis, P. and Andriotis, K. 2017. Altruism in tourism: social exchange theory vs altruistic surplus phenomenon in host volunteering. Annals of Tourism Research. 62, pp. 26-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2016.11.002
From nudism and naturism tourism to "natourism": defining natourism and exploring natourists' motivations
Andriotis, K. 2016. From nudism and naturism tourism to "natourism": defining natourism and exploring natourists' motivations. Tourism Analysis. 21 (2-3), pp. 237-249. https://doi.org/10.3727/108354216X14559233984854
Beggars-tourists' interactions: an unobtrusive typological approach
Andriotis, K. 2016. Beggars-tourists' interactions: an unobtrusive typological approach. Tourism Management. 52, pp. 64-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2015.06.006
The ‘antinomian’ travel counterculture of Gavdos: an alternative mode of travelling
Andriotis, K. 2013. The ‘antinomian’ travel counterculture of Gavdos: an alternative mode of travelling. Annals of Tourism Research. 40, pp. 40-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2012.08.002
Values of souvenirs as commodities
Paraskevaidis, P. and Andriotis, K. 2015. Values of souvenirs as commodities. Tourism Management. 48, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.10.014
Tourist vacation preferences: the case of mass tourists to Crete
Andriotis, K., Agiomirgianakis, G. and Mihiotis, A. 2007. Tourist vacation preferences: the case of mass tourists to Crete. Tourism Analysis. 12 (1/2), pp. 51-63.
Sources of liability: tourism operators facing lawsuits
Andriotis, K. 2007. Sources of liability: tourism operators facing lawsuits. International Conference of Trends, Impacts and Policies on Tourism Development. Heraklion, Greece 15 - 18 Jun 2007
Seasonality in Crete: problem or a way of life?
Andriotis, K. 2005. Seasonality in Crete: problem or a way of life? Tourism Economics. 11 (2), pp. 207-224. https://doi.org/10.5367/0000000054183478
Scale of hospitality firms and local economic development - evidence from Crete
Andriotis, K. 2002. Scale of hospitality firms and local economic development - evidence from Crete. Tourism Management. 23 (4), pp. 333-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(01)00094-2
Residents’ perceptions towards tourism in a rural Cretan community
Erotokritakis, K. and Andriotis, K. 2006. Residents’ perceptions towards tourism in a rural Cretan community. International Conference of Trends, Impacts and Policies on Tourism Development. Crete, GREECE 15 - 18 Jun 2006
Researching the development gap between the Hinterland and the Coast: evidence from the Island of Crete
Andriotis, K. 2006. Researching the development gap between the Hinterland and the Coast: evidence from the Island of Crete. Tourism Management. 27 (4), pp. 629-639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.02.005
The pattern-matching approach and its application in tourism development
Andriotis, K. and Vaughan, R. 2009. The pattern-matching approach and its application in tourism development. Current Issues in Tourism. 12 (4), pp. 315-336. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500802346185
Options in tourism development: conscious versus conventional tourism
Andriotis, K. 2002. Options in tourism development: conscious versus conventional tourism. Anatolia. 13 (1), pp. 73-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2002.9687016
Measuring tourist satisfaction: a factor-cluster segmentation approach
Andriotis, K., Agiomirgianakis, G. and Mihiotis, A. 2008. Measuring tourist satisfaction: a factor-cluster segmentation approach. Journal of Vacation Marketing. 14 (3), pp. 221-235. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356766708090584
Integrated resort development: the case of Cavo Sidero, Crete
Andriotis, K. 2008. Integrated resort development: the case of Cavo Sidero, Crete. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 16 (4), pp. 428-444. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580802154207
Early travellers to Greece and their modern counterparts
Andriotis, K. 2009. Early travellers to Greece and their modern counterparts. Tourist Experiences: Meanings, Motivations, Behaviors. University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
Clustering visitors to a religious island : the case of Tinos
Aslan, D. and Andriotis, K. 2009. Clustering visitors to a religious island : the case of Tinos. International Conference on Tourism Development and Management (ICTDM): Tourism in a Changing World: Prospects and Challenges. Kos Island, Greece 11 - 15 Sep 2009
Cruise visitors’ experience in a Mediterranean port of call
Andriotis, K. and Agiomirgianakis, G. 2010. Cruise visitors’ experience in a Mediterranean port of call. International Journal of Tourism Research. 12 (4), pp. 390-404. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.770
Community groups’ perceptions of and preferences to tourism development. Evidence from Crete
Andriotis, K. 2005. Community groups’ perceptions of and preferences to tourism development. Evidence from Crete. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research. 29 (1), pp. 67-90. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348004268196
A comparative study of visitors to urban, coastal and rural areas. Evidence from the Island of Crete
Andriotis, K. 2011. A comparative study of visitors to urban, coastal and rural areas. Evidence from the Island of Crete. European Journal of Tourism Research. 4 (2), pp. 93-108.
A framework for the tourism planning process
Andriotis, K. 2007. A framework for the tourism planning process. in: Aparna, R. (ed.) Sustainability, profitability and successful tourism New Delhi Kanishka Publishers.
Brits behaving badly: template analysis of newspaper content
Andriotis, K. 2010. Brits behaving badly: template analysis of newspaper content. International Journal of Tourism Anthropology. 1 (1), pp. 15-34. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTA.2010.036844
Urban residents' attitudes toward tourism development: the case of Crete
Andriotis, K. and Vaughan, R. 2003. Urban residents' attitudes toward tourism development: the case of Crete. Journal of Travel Research. 42 (2), pp. 172-185. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287503257488
Social representations and community attitudes towards spring breakers
Monterrubio, J. and Andriotis, K. 2014. Social representations and community attitudes towards spring breakers. Tourism Geographies. 16 (2), pp. 288-302. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2014.889208
Market escape through exchange: home swap as a form of non-commercial hospitality
Andriotis, K. and Agiomirgianakis, G. 2014. Market escape through exchange: home swap as a form of non-commercial hospitality. Current Issues in Tourism. 17 (7), pp. 576-591. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2013.837868
Sacred site experience: a phenomenological study
Andriotis, K. 2009. Sacred site experience: a phenomenological study. Annals of Tourism Research. 36 (1), pp. 64-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2008.10.003
Heterotopic erotic oases: the public nude beach experience
Andriotis, K. 2010. Heterotopic erotic oases: the public nude beach experience. Annals of Tourism Research. 37 (4), pp. 1076-1096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2010.04.003
The 'antinomian' travel counterculture of Gavdos: an alternative mode of travelling
Andriotis, K. 2013. The 'antinomian' travel counterculture of Gavdos: an alternative mode of travelling. Annals of Tourism Research. 40, pp. 40-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2012.08.002
Postcard mobility: going beyond image and text
Andriotis, K. and Mavrič, M. 2013. Postcard mobility: going beyond image and text. Annals of Tourism Research. 40, pp. 18-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2012.07.004
Genres of heritage authenticity: denotations from a pilgrimage landscape
Andriotis, K. 2011. Genres of heritage authenticity: denotations from a pilgrimage landscape. Annals of Tourism Research. 38 (4), pp. 1613-1633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2011.03.001
Heterotopic erotic oases - the public nude beach experience
Andriotis, K. 2010. Heterotopic erotic oases - the public nude beach experience. Annals of Tourism Research. 37 (4), pp. 1076-1096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2010.04.003
Hosts, guests and politics - coastal resorts morphological change
Andriotis, K. 2006. Hosts, guests and politics - coastal resorts morphological change. Annals of Tourism Research. 33 (4), pp. 1079-1098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2006.04.003