This paper aims to evaluate whether volunteer tourism as a sustainable form of tourism can be combined with sea turtle protection. We discuss opportunities and limits of volunteer tourism and give insights into motivations and self-assessments of mostly western volunteers supporting sea turtle protection in Malaysia. Based on a primary qualitative participatory approach the analysis evaluates positive and negative impacts of volunteer tourism along a micro scale case study of the privately run sea turtle conservation organisation in Tioman Island, Malaysia. We show that the organisation depends on volunteer tourism for its successful operation. Volunteers are an important labour force as they help to extend the range of conservation efforts. Further, the involvement and education of volunteers and visitors have immediate positive outcomes for conservation on site, and long-term outcomes in general.
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