A total of 42 students participated in the six-day academic excursion.
Panaji
The BBA (Travel & Tourism) Department of Don Bosco College, Panaji, successfully concluded its Annual Educational Study Tour to Kerala in February 2026, providing students with immersive exposure to India’s diverse tourism landscape.
A total of 42 students, accompanied by Assistant Professors Vandana Patil and Nafisa Da’Costa, participated in the six-day academic excursion, which is an integral part of the department’s curriculum aimed at bridging classroom learning with real-world industry practices.
The itinerary included key destinations such as Munnar, Suryanelli, Kolukkumalai, Alappuzha, Jatayu Earth’s Center, and Thiruvananthapuram, enabling students to study hill tourism, adventure tourism, backwater tourism, heritage and cultural tourism, and religious tourism.
In Munnar, students visited attractions like Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and botanical gardens, observing tourism infrastructure, visitor flow management, environmental conservation measures, and local transport systems. A live demonstration of Kerala’s ancient martial art, Kalaripayattu, offered insight into cultural tourism and destination branding.
The group’s camping experience in Suryanelli, amid sprawling tea plantations, focused on experiential and adventure tourism. Activities such as trekking, team-building exercises, and campfire interactions provided practical exposure to alternative accommodations, safety management, and leadership in outdoor tourism. A jeep safari to Kolukkumalai Sunrise Point introduced niche tourism concepts, including high-altitude plantation tourism and sunrise tourism.
In Alappuzha, students experienced an overnight houseboat cruise, gaining hands-on knowledge of cruise operations, hospitality services, catering logistics, and guest relationship management. Visits to Jatayu Earth’s Center highlighted the integration of mythological storytelling, adventure activities, and large-scale infrastructure in thematic tourism development.
Throughout the tour, participants analysed itinerary planning, tour costing, accommodation models, transport coordination, sustainability practices, and community participation in tourism.
Assistant Professor Vandana Patil described the tour as a “living classroom” that connects theoretical knowledge with practical industry applications. Assistant Professor Nafisa Da’Costa underscored the significance of sustainable and responsible tourism practices, which Kerala exemplifies.
The successful completion of the 2026 study tour reaffirmed Don Bosco College’s commitment to holistic, industry-oriented education, equipping students with professional competence and a deeper appreciation of India’s vibrant tourism sector.
