I like the idea: combining your love of travel — something most of us do for our own pleasure — with your desire to help out the world — something that benefits others. Thus has sprung the idea of “Voluntourism” (I was hoping the term “toureering” would catch on, but no luck), where you can spend your Aruba vacation picking up litter on beaches, or volunteering at an orphanage while you backpack through Cambodia. Recent numbers show that around 11% of travelers planned to volunteer during their next trip.

But with fame comes attention, and with attention comes criticism. What is volunteerism anyway? How much good does it really do? Would you be better off just making a donation? This week Slate ponders these questions and more: (more…)