Tourism in Kerala is going through a significant phase of growth and development. The sustained efforts of the department of tourism over a period of several years have played a crucial role in achieving this momentum and direction. The department of tourism (DoT) is committed to preserving this trend and working towards long-term goals of establishing tourism as a major development factor in the state. It is with this objective that the DoT is envisaging a massive awareness campaign in the state. Setting up of tourism clubs in colleges and schools is aimed at creating proper awareness about tourism among the youth.

With improved infrastructure and better publicity, hopes are pinned on receiving more tourists, both domestic as well as international in the seasons to come. Better hotels, restaurants and other facilities alone will not develop tourism. Along with the DoT’s efforts to facilitate adequate infrastructure for the same, it is equally important that steps be taken to create and maintain a collective mind-set among the people with a positive orientation towards tourism and hospitality. A traditional Indian concept of ‘atithi devo bhava’ has to be re-established in the tourism industry. Our motto should be to receive a guest and send back a friend. Tourism and the hospitality industry can develop this attitude only with the cooperation and whole-hearted patronage of a friendly and hospitable host community. It is with this objective that the DoT is envisaging a massive awareness campaign in the state. Setting up of tourism clubs in colleges and schools is aimed at creating proper awareness about tourism among the youth.

Objectives

Tourism Clubs work with the following objectives:

• a) Generate more public attention towards tourism and its developmental efforts.
• b) Create awareness about the socio-economic relevance of tourism for the development of the state.
• c) Nullify and dilute existing misconceptions and misguided apprehensions regarding growth of tourism.
• d) Create platforms for more open expressions and exchange of ideas regarding tourism related activities.
• e) Impress upon the younger and upcoming generation, the importance and relevance of tourism in their career and thereby generate a positive attitude towards tourism.
• f) Make the younger generation participate in the developmental activities of tourism.
• g) Achieve professionalism in tourism.
• h) Encourage travel mentality and promote national integration and international amity.
• i) Create a rational approach towards tourism, environment and nature.
• j) Identify/locate potential tourist spots in the district.

Area Of Operation

The area of operation of the Club shall be inside the state of Kerala. The club shall be formed in all colleges, vocational higher secondary schools (VHSS) and Higher Secondary Schools (HSS).

Co-ordinators

Teacher Co-ordinator - The head of the institution shall appoint a teacher as the teacher co-ordinator of the Club.

Student Co-ordinators - The teacher co-ordinator shall nominate a male and female member of the Club as student co-ordinators in consultation with the head of the institution.

Members Of The Tourism Club
Any student, who has been selected/nominated by the head of the institution/teacher co-ordinator (the teacher in-charge of the Club) of a college/VHSS/HSS that comes under the area of operation of the Club, shall be eligible for admission as a member. The district collector and chairman, DTPC/director, department of tourism have special powers to nominate a student of their choice as a member of the Club.

Number Of Members
For the efficient functioning of the Club, each unit shall admit a maximum of 50 members. Another 10 students shall be included in the waiting list. The students on the waiting list will get priority for admission as members at the next possible opportunity.

Guidelines On The Programmes
The department of tourism, government of Kerala has drafted a standard calendar for activities of Tourism Clubs. The programmes are classified into:

Unit Level Programmes
Each college/school is considered a unit. Unit level programmes will be organised by the teacher or student coordinator in consultation with the DTPC. In the month of July-August, a seminar or group discussion would be conducted on the scope of tourism in Kerala. Participation in the group discussion is open only to club members. All students of the college shall be involved in the seminar. In September-October, activities include trekking, hiking, cycle rally to a nearby tourist destination. This programme is exclusively for members of the Tourism Club. World tourism day will be celebrated on September 27, 2003. The months of November and December will have a quiz programme viz, ‘Tourism Quiz.’ All members of colleges and schools shall be invited to participate in this programme. First and second prize winners of the quiz competition will be selected for the district level tourism quiz. If winners are non-members, they will be given honourary membership of the Tourism Club.

‘Meet the Guest’ Programme
This programme scheduled to be held in the months of January-February is designed to help Club members interact with foreign tourists or those from other states, who visit concerned district. The programme must be arranged on a holiday exclusively for members of the Tourism Club. This is to prevent any kind of harassment to invited tourists and ensure proper interaction. The teacher coordinator of the institution shall be the supervisor of this programme. Invited tourists must be treated as distinguished guests. In this regard, the department of tourism will release funds through DTPCs of the district, subject to a maximum of Rs 2,500, per club per year. The break-up of the estimate is as follows:

1. Seminar or group discussion Rs 500
2. Trekking, hiking, cycle rally, to a nearby tourist destination Rs 500.
3. Tourism quiz (unit level) Rs 300
4. Meet the Guest programme Rs 200.
5. Identification of tourist spots Rs 1,000.

District Level Programmes
The following district level programmes will be fully financed by the Department of Tourism. A two-day tourism camp for selected members of Tourism Clubs will be conducted in an ideal tourist centre in the district. Each unit can sponsor a maximum of five active members.

State Level Programmes
State level programmes are also organised and financed by the department of tourism. A state-level tourism quiz will be conducted by the department of tourism in association with KITTS. Winners of the district level quiz competition will be the participants. State level tourism camp for the student coordinators will also be conducted. A major tourism camp will be conducted for the unit student coordinators. The camp will be conducted in any of the known tourist centres of Kerala. The camp aims at strengthening the leadership quality of the participants and enlightening them on the organisation and functioning of the Tourism Clubs. The department of tourism will provide second-class train fare (as per actuals), boarding and lodging.

Admission Procedure

Those who desire to join the Tourism Club shall request the same to the head or teacher coordinator of that institution.

• If the number of applicants are more than 50, an essay or quiz competition on tourism shall be conducted and winners shall be given priority on admission.
• The selected candidates shall submit their application in the prescribed format, duly signed by their head or teacher coordinator of that institution.
• Copies of the application shall be kept in the college or school as well as with the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) of that district.
• The DTPCs may furnish a detailed list of each Club with the names of the members, student coordinators and teacher coordinators to the department of tourism.
• The DTPCs may also select a district student coordinator and a district teacher coordinator from their Clubs in the district.
• The DTPCs will be in charge of the setting up of Tourism Clubs in the district.