OBX Volunteer Week hopes to help ‘change the culture of tourism’

OBX Visitors Bureau Community Engagement Manager Jeff Schwartzenberg and Public Relations & Social Media Manager Aaron Tuell “walk the walk” at a beach cleanup.

Credit: Brian Tress

By Brian Tress | Outer Banks Voice

When the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau (OBVB) launched its first Volunteer Week in October, organizers framed it as an invitation for visitors, residents, and second homeowners to connect more deeply with the community by volunteering on a variety of projects and events. The initiative expands on the traditional idea of “voluntourism,” which is designed to engage visitors in community service projects.

“We didn’t go into this first effort with a big numbers goal,” said OBVB Executive Director Lee Nettles. “This

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