Will their absence make a difference? The role of local volunteer NGOs in home-stay intermediation in Ghana�s Garden City

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in home-stay arrangements in Ghana�s cultural city, Kumasi, and further assess NGO intermediation of home-stay from home-stay operators� and international volunteer tourists� perspectives. Design/methodology/approach: A mixture of quantitative and qualitative approaches is used to target three main stakeholders of volunteer tourism including international volunteer tourists, home-stay operators, and local NGOs. Findings: There are seven major roles played by volunteer NGOs in the home-stay arrangement. However, from operators� perspective, NGOs may hinder the economic viability of home-stay through inadequate/low payment. Originality/value: The study highlights the unexplored brokerage role of NGOs in volunteer tourism in home-stay intermediation and its implications for sustainable tourism. � 2017, International Tourism Studies Association.