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In the wake of the successful implementation of tourism clubs on college campuses across the state, Kerala will further extend the initiatives to higher secondary levels, to accelerate youth participation in a variety of tourism-related activities.
Tourism Minister Mr P. A. Mohamed Riyas and General Education Minister Mr V. Sivankutty have jointly committed themselves to the creation of a high-level official panel. This panel will be tasked with formulating guidelines for the establishment of tourism clubs in higher secondary institutions.
In the initial phase, the clubs will take up diverse activities across 25 destinations. These involve receiving tourists, providing them with information about the places they intend to visit, and ensuring the observance of green protocols in the maintenance of these destinations.
Moreover, the clubs will arrange art and cultural events to elevate the experience for visitors. Club members will actively gather feedback from visitors, and any issues faced by them will be promptly communicated to the authorities concerned.
“Tourism clubs in college campuses have shown that the youth can effectively intervene in improving the quality of tourism and proper upkeep of assets. Extension of the programme to the higher secondary level will help scale up this unique initiative,” Mr Riyas said.
The involvement of campus tourism club members at Aakkulam Tourist Village in the state capital has set an exemplary model that can be replicated in other locales. The tourism club members successfully executed significant projects at a cost lower than initially anticipated, showcasing their efficiency. Their intervention also underscored a strict adherence to green protocols, illustrating effective maintenance practices for the entire area, added the minister.
The clubs' destination guides have established an impressive standard in receiving and guiding tourists. Mr Riyas announced that this successful model will be extended to numerous other places across the state.
Tourism clubs offer students a chance to earn income without compromising their academic responsibilities. In Aakkulam alone, approximately 15 students are employed as part-time guides. Moreover, the clubs have proactively promoted entrepreneurial development by hosting workshops on the potential of startups in the tourism sector.
The minister also pointed out how, in a brief period, this idea has proven to be a forward-looking initiative in equipping the youth to tap into the vast opportunities present in the tourism sector.
