Vacations with a purpose or humanitarian travel or eco-friendly trips are quickly catching on as the hottest new travel trend, according to various sources.

"Volunteer vacations are a growing trend among individuals seeking to give back during their time away from work and home," says CheapTickets.com.

The company and United Way of America have announced the launch of a new Web site to support consumers who want to book a volunteer vacation. The groups call it "vacationing with a purpose."

Travelers can dedicate a full week to their volunteer vacation of choice or simply take a day or two out of an already pre-planned getaway.

"CheapTickets customers want the opportunity to support communities like New Orleans with their volunteer efforts during the day, while experiencing attractions like Bourbon Street's jazz clubs and restaurants by night," said Steven Barnhart, president and Chief Financial Officer of Orbitz Worldwide, which operates the CheapTickets brand.

Other examples of how the trend is catching on:

       Companies such as CheapCaribbean and Travelocity are offering volunteer vacations.

       Online travel agencies and airlines continue to regularly announce carbon offset programs.

       Travelocity's annual forecast poll of active members found that 11% plan to volunteer during their vacations this year. That may not sound like a huge number but it's way up over the 6% last year.

       "ASTA has partnered with Global Volunteers to introduce US travel agents to the concept of volunteer tourism and how they can best market this to their clients," said William A. Maloney, a vice president.

The new CheapTickets Web tools include a "Top Volunteer Events" site that features opportunities accompanied by travel discounts to the highlighted destinations, as well as a travel blog featuring the experience of consumers who have made volunteer vacations.

A recent survey by CheapTickets found:

• Almost half of travelers have heard of a volunteer vacation.
• Half of respondents would consider taking a vacation for the sole purpose of volunteering.
• More than half of would consider taking a day or two out of an already planned vacation to volunteer in a city near where they are vacationing.  
• 68% of travelers would likely use a travel website to learn more about volunteer vacations.

Report by David Wilkening