Purpose – This paper aims to introduce the theme issue question “why and how should the international volunteer tourism … from the wider international volunteer tourism network of academics and practitioners. Findings – This paper introduces the … key stakeholders of international volunteer tourism and the extent to which their voices are prominent (or not) in respect …

about the issue’s key question “Why and how should the international volunteer tourism experience be improved?”, thereby … articles that have contributed to the theme issue. Findings – International volunteer tourism is a growing phenomenon that has … quality assurance within the sector. Originality/value – This theme issue explores international volunteer tourism from a …

international volunteer agency. Our field research shows that, when compared to a control group, the expatriates’ learning was …