UK students planning international volunteer placements are facing financial ruin after GVI, a leading 'voluntourism' operator, confirmed it would formally close and enter liquidation on 1st July. The move leaves hundreds of customers out of pocket, with some having paid thousands for projects in locations such as Fiji, Cambodia, and the Maldives.
GVI had been a staple choice for school leavers and gap year students seeking to combine voluntary work with travel. For many, these placements were not just holidays but opportunities to gain practical experience, enhance their CVs, and boost their career prospects. Students like Amy Taylor from Manchester, who paid £4,000 for a conservation internship in South Africa, had high hopes of gaining invaluable skills for her dream job.
Amy, 21, who studies wildlife conservation and zoo biology, described receiving the email about GVI's closure as 'gut-wrenching'. She had planned to use the experience to stand out in a competitive job market after graduation. Linus Rowland-Bell from Liverpool faced similar disappointment when he paid £2,258 upfront for an internship in the Amazon rainforest in Peru.
Linus, 23, who studies biology and biotechnology, worked part-time to save money for his trip. He had suspicions about GVI's finances after experiencing issues with an online training course and receiving an email from the Peru centre stating they hadn't been paid by GVI for six months. Although he secured a full refund through his bank, Linus is now wary of trusting travel booking companies.
GVI's CEO, Andrew Valentine, expressed regret over the closure on the company's website, acknowledging the impact on staff, projects, and customers. He pledged to provide clear information as the liquidation process unfolds. The sudden cessation of operations highlights the risks associated with booking with independent operators in niche sectors like voluntourism.