The purpose of this study is to introduce the concept of “voluntourism” and its applicability as an alternative form of tourism due to its ability to combine recreational activities with service and learning. The location and proximity of a local community to tourism practices affect the way in which the community perceives the effects of voluntourism as a whole, which is why importance is placed on the residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards voluntourism through an analysis incorporating the Social Exchange Theory (SET). This study will focus on the perceptions of residents living on Andaman Island in Thailand, an area that was significantly affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
