School tourism clubs
Tourism clubs in schools across the province, each with a teacher coordinator, an elected student committee, a club constitution and an annual action plan.
Learn moreAbout Ruhunu NextGen Tourism
Young ideas for responsible tourism in the South.
A Ruhunu Tourist Bureau programme that brings tourism clubs into schools, gives students a platform through competitions, and supports youth-led innovation across the Southern Province.
Why it matters
A young generation for innovative, responsible and sustainable tourism.
In alignment with World Tourism Day on 27 September 2026 and its theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau is establishing School Tourism Clubs and running Skills Development Competitions in schools across the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.
The programme develops tourism awareness, leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, environmental responsibility and community participation among school students. Its primary aim is to strengthen the sustainability of the tourism industry by bringing new technology — and young people’s ideas — into the sector.
As a first phase, public speaking, essay and art competitions are run through the tourism clubs. School students and youth club members are then invited to submit innovative project proposals that respond to tourism, environmental, social or community development opportunities and challenges in the province.
The most outstanding proposals are selected through a structured evaluation. The Ruhunu Tourist Bureau provides financial, technical and administrative support, the project is implemented by the student or youth group that proposed it, and on completion it is opened and handed over to the public for community benefit.
In future stages, the clubs will help open pathways for students into careers and further education in tourism.
A Southern Province World Tourism Day celebration recognises competition winners, introduces outstanding student projects and brings exhibitions and awareness programmes on tourism to the wider community.
How the programme works
Clubs, competitions and real projects.
Provincial competitions
Public speaking, essay and art competitions for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sections, judged in each of the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts.
Learn moreStudent & Youth Innovation Challenge
Advanced Level students and registered youth club members propose practical solutions to local challenges. The strongest are funded, built and handed over to the community.
Learn moreRecognition for students and clubs
Awards for the best clubs, speakers, essays, art and innovation projects — with certificates, trophies and financial grants.
Learn moreObjectives
What we set out to do.
To enhance student skills by promoting tourism, innovation, entrepreneurship and community development activities through establishing and strengthening tourism clubs in schools across the Southern Province.
- Establishing tourism clubs in all schools in the Southern Province.
- Promoting tourism awareness and positive attitudes among students.
- Enhancing students’ communication and creative skills.
- Achieving significant growth in the sustainability of the Southern Province tourism industry.
- Encouraging innovative thinking and problem-solving among students.
- Identifying student-driven solutions for local tourism and community challenges.
- Providing financial support for implementing selected student projects.
- Developing future tourism leaders and entrepreneurs.
- Strengthening cooperation among schools, communities, local government authorities and tourism stakeholders.
Inside a school tourism club
Led by students. Guided by a teacher.
President
Leads the club committee and represents the club’s members.
Secretary
Keeps the club’s records, minutes and activity plans.
Primary Section Committee Representative
Brings the voice and ideas of Primary section students to the committee.
Secondary Section Committee Representative
Represents Secondary section students.
Tertiary Section Committee Representative
Represents Tertiary (Advanced Level) section students.
Teacher Coordinator
A teacher appointed to guide the club, supervise activities and act as the school’s contact with the programme.
Who benefits directly
- School students in the Southern Province
- Teachers and school administrators
- School tourism clubs
Who benefits indirectly
- Local communities
- Tourism industry stakeholders
- Local government authorities
- Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
- Rural communities
Built to last
- Clubs operate continuously under their school administrations.
- Teacher coordinators receive continuous capacity-building training.
- Partnerships are developed with tourism stakeholders.
- Alumni networks provide ongoing mentorship.
- The innovation competition continues as an annual event.
- Corporate sponsorship is explored for scaling up.
- Continuous evaluation by the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau and the Ministry of Education.
Expected outcomes
What success looks like.
- Tourism clubs established across the Southern Province.
- Technological advancement of the tourism sector in the province.
- Increased student participation in tourism development.
- Stronger leadership and entrepreneurship skills among young people.
- Innovative student solutions for regional development.
- Strong community participation in the tourism industry.
- Sustainable, student-led tourism projects.
- Greater tourism awareness among future generations.
- A tourism culture that welcomes the participation of all groups in society.
- Tourism awareness and values passed on to future generations.
- A foundation for future tourism leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Targets
How we will measure progress.
Programme targets from the project plan. Progress will be reported as the programme develops.
| Objective | Indicator | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Establish tourism clubs | Targeted schools that establish a tourism club | 80% of schools in the Southern Province |
| Student participation | Students registered as tourism club members | 10,000+ students |
| School engagement | Participating schools | 500+ schools |
| Teacher engagement | Trained teacher coordinators | One per participating school |
| Tourism awareness | Improvement in students’ tourism knowledge (pre/post assessment) | 70% improvement |
| Competition participation | Competition entries received | 2,000+ submissions |
| Innovation | Innovation project proposals submitted | 100+ proposals |
| Community engagement | Community-based tourism initiatives by clubs | At least 1 per school per year |
| Environmental impact | Environmental conservation activities organised | 50+ activities |
| Digital engagement | Social media reach and online engagement | 100,000+ people reached |
| Partnership development | Partnerships with tourism stakeholders | 10+ organisations |
| Capacity building | Training programmes and workshops | 10+ per year |
| Awards & recognition | Students and schools recognised | 100+ awards and certificates |
| Sustainability | Clubs still active after one year | 85% or above |
| Media coverage | Media articles, TV, radio and digital features | 20+ publications |
| Beneficiary satisfaction | Satisfaction of students and teachers | 90% satisfaction |