This research sought to examine these issues further by exploring the role that sending organisations play in the level of international understanding that develops through volunteer tourism. While it is recognised that volunteer tourism often occurs without such organisations, the focus was specifically on VTPs offered by these organisations as they have been the most criticised in recent literature (e.g. Roberts, 2004; Simpson, 2005b). To achieve this, ten case studies were involved in an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) into good practice in volunteer tourism. The research, therefore, looked at a range of issues surrounding volunteer tourism, but this paper focuses specifically on the theme of cross-cultural understanding.