Travellers want an alternative to homogenised commercial tourism, particularly to developing countries, according to UTS researcher Dr Stephen Wearing.

"The growth of eco-tourism, which grew out of the Green movement, proves people want an alternative, and volunteer tourism offers a similarly enriching experience," he said.

A senior lecturer in the School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, Dr Wearing is the author of a book entitled Volunteer Tourism recently released by CABI Publishing.

One of the major attractions for those who volunteer for overseas aid projects is the opportunity to travel safely and cheaply.

"Unfortunately organisations that recruit volunteers for community aid projects overseas don't promote the fact that they offer a richer form of tourism," he said.

"While volunteers provide material benefits for the host community in exchange for shelter, both have the opportunity to experience each other's cultural difference."

Dr Wearing believes volunteer tourism will rival the popularity of eco-tourism this decade.

"Transnational tourism organisations based in developed countries package the cultures of developing nations as commodities of difference," Dr Wearing said.

"In the process they not only dominate the market, they also shape communities in developing nations. In fact, Western culture is such a powerful influence it threatens indigenous cultures that have changed little for centuries."