KOCHI: In a concerning development, students and teachers from various schools in Kerala are facing significant disruptions during study tours due to infighting and professional rivalries among tour operators. The latest incident, involving a group of 135 students and teachers from SNDP School, Angamaly, on their trip to Kodaikanal, highlights the severe consequences of these professional disputes.

On November 1, the school group departed for a study tour to Kodaikanal, but what was supposed to be an educational and enjoyable trip turned into a nightmare. Despite pre-arranged accommodations, the tour operator, Green Kerala Holidays, failed to secure proper lodging, forcing the group to travel overnight to Ooty, where they arrived early the next morning. This lack of preparation led to exhaustion, with students and teachers traveling for nearly two days without proper rest or sleep, making the entire journey physically and mentally taxing.

To make matters worse, due to the Diwali holiday rush, the group was unable to visit key tourist spots in Ooty. The students, who were supposed to gain valuable educational experiences, found themselves unable to explore the cultural and historical landmarks of the area, further diminishing the value of the trip. After the harrowing experience, the group returned to Kerala on November 3, severely disappointed and exhausted.

A Deeper Issue: Professional Rivalries in the Tour Industry

The owner of Green Kerala Holidays, Alex Antony, expressed regret over the incident and blamed it on professional animosity between rival tour operators. According to Antony, this was the first such occurrence in his 15 years of operation. He explained that local partners who were supposed to assist with arrangements in Kodaikanal and Ooty failed to show up, leaving the group stranded and without proper support. Antony further alleged that the failure of the local operator was due to sabotage from a competitor who had lost out on the bid to handle the school’s trip.

In his statement, Antony stressed that he had always ensured smooth arrangements with the help of trusted local vendors, but this time, the lack of cooperation from his contacts severely impacted the trip. "Our reputation is at stake, and I’m determined to take the matter to the tour operators association and the police," Antony said, vowing to seek a solution to prevent such incidents in the future.

The issue is not isolated. Other schools in Aluva, Angamaly, and Thrissur have reported similar experiences with tour operators failing to provide the promised services due to ongoing rivalries and lack of professionalism in the sector. The disruption caused to the educational experience of students is not only frustrating for parents and teachers but also undermines the integrity of Kerala’s tourism industry.

The Impact on Students and Teachers

For many students, study tours are a significant part of their education, offering them hands-on learning opportunities that cannot be replicated in the classroom. The disrupted trip to Ooty, combined with the fatigue from constant travel and lack of proper rest, has led to concerns about the safety and well-being of students during such trips. Teachers are also concerned about the psychological impact on the students who were left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled after the missed opportunities.

The mishap raises questions about the accountability of tour operators and their responsibility to ensure safe, comfortable, and enriching experiences for young students. As educational institutions increasingly rely on external tour operators for field trips, it becomes crucial for schools to work with reputable agencies that prioritize the safety and education of students over commercial gains.

Calls for Regulation and Accountability

With multiple incidents now surfacing, there is growing concern over the need for stricter regulations in the tourism sector, particularly when it comes to school trips. The tour operator’s industry, though vibrant, suffers from a lack of transparency and accountability, leading to the exploitation of vulnerable groups, such as schoolchildren. Educational institutions, parents, and students are urging authorities to step in and ensure that tour operators adhere to a strict code of conduct and provide proper documentation, guarantees, and support during such trips.

Tourism experts suggest that a collaborative effort between the Kerala Tourism Department and educational institutions could help in creating a more reliable and accountable framework for school tours. They recommend that schools partner only with licensed and accredited operators with a proven track record, ensuring that students’ safety and education are the top priority.

As the tour industry in Kerala faces mounting scrutiny, the hope is that incidents like the one in Angamaly will spur significant changes to improve the experience for future generations of students embarking on educational journeys.