Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management

This qualification offers horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.

Horizontal Articulation

• Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management, Level 7.
• A Bachelor's Degree, Level 7. Accumulated credits may also be presented for entry into a cognate Bachelor's Degree.

Vertical Articulation

• A Bachelor Honours Degree, Level 8.

This qualification has been compared to similar qualifications in other countries to ensure it is comparable to other qualifications in terms of the learning outcomes, competencies developed and the standard of performance demanded of graduating learners. Countries whose qualifications and courses were looked at included amongst others the Netherlands, Germany, Finland and Ethiopia.

The Department of Tourism and Event Management, the originator of the qualification, has over a period of almost two decades maintained working relationships with international training institutions in the tourism industries. This qualification has been compared to similar qualifications in other countries to ensure that the South African qualification is comparable to those qualifications in terms of the learning outcomes, competencies developed and the standard of performance demanded of graduating learners. Countries whose qualifications and courses were looked at included amongst others the Netherlands, Germany, Finland and Ethiopia.

Vrije University, Netherlands: This university if known for its extensive research development and projects especially in Africa. The Strongbow project (Sustainable Tourism based On Natural resource management with Gender Balance towards Women) was is a capacity building project (2011-2015) developed to enhance the ability of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to enable them to provide gender sensitive quality education and training in Natural Resources Management, Tourism and Ecotourism. The principal targets of achievement by the project are staff capacity development, curriculum revision, strengthening research skills and demand driven action research methodologies, partnership development and setting up mechanisms for sustainable income generation. One of the core pillars addressed by the project is establishing strong link between education service providers and multi-stakeholders through labour market oriented education and training and demand driven action researches. The following corresponding premasters qualifications are offered by this university: The premaster programme at the School of Business and Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a deficiency programme that aims to provide students the relevant knowledge they require for studying a Master's programme. The premaster programme is similar to the Advanced Diploma and is for students with a Bachelor Degree or a degree from a university of applied sciences, in any subject and for students with a university degree who do not meet all requirements of the master programme. It prepares students for the Master in Business Administration in:

• Business Administration: Digital Business and Innovation.
• Business Administration: Financial Management.
• Business Administration: Human Resource Management.
• Business Administration: International Management.
• Business Administration: Leadership and Change Management.
• Business Administration: Management Consulting.
• Business Administration: Strategy and Organization.
• Business Administration: Transport and Supply Chain Management.
• Study guide Business Administration premaster programme.
• Entrepreneurship.
• Finance.
• Marketing.

When comparing the mentioned qualifications with the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management is it clear that all the sub-categories listed is directly related to the Advanced Diploma Tourism Management in terms of content, syllabus and core modules/subjects.

Hochshule Aalen, Germany: This university of applied sciences offer a variety of international courses and a number of international exchange programmes for students and staff. Students from this university have exchanged since 2012 to CUT. CUT staff members have also had the opportunity to deliver lectures at this university. The courses in International Marketing and sales (up to master's level) follows a similar curriculum with specific focus on (international) marketing, qualitative research, management of business and economics as well as focus of specific markets.

At Aalen University, there are four areas of studies at the faculty of Management and Business Sciences, which summarises several related fields of study and bundles the issues in teaching, research and administration effectively. The area of studies Business for Small and Medium-sized Companies (BSME) qualifies graduates for managerial and leadership roles in small and medium businesses, as well as for the successful realisation of their own business ideas. A particular emphasis is placed on innovation management, operational success and a sustainable corporate policy. The following study programmes are allocated to the area of studies BSME: Business for Small and Medium-Sized Companies, SME Management, Area of Studies International Business Studies (IBS) which qualifies graduates for management and leadership positions in an international context of a company. Special attention on the one hand is paid to the provision of appropriate professional and linguistic skills as well as on intercultural competences; and on the other hand on a competent handling of business application systems, business processes and information management. The following study programmes are allocated to the area of studies IBS: International Business Studies, International Marketing and Sales and Business Informatics. In comparison with the Advanced Diploma the mentioned qualifications at Aalen Hochshule show similarities within subject content such as management, leadership, marketing and international studies.

Kajani University of Applied Science, Finland: Currently, a MoU is in place with this university and exchange of students to the Department of Tourism has taken place since 2011 due to the comparability of it learning programmes. Graduate Attributes are also synced and when benchmarked, compares well with that of CUT. The curriculum of this university focuses on product development in tourism, business activities, leadership, tourism service and research methodologies in social sciences. In the School of Tourism and Sports the educational offering in Activity Tourism is unique in Finland. Activity tourism involves experiential activities in natural environments, as well as wellbeing tourism combined with the accommodation and catering business. Here, the university actively develop and modernize service innovations and networks to help companies meet the needs of their customers cost-effectively. We are exergaming pioneers and produce high-quality and reliable applied tourism research in Finland in offering the following degrees: Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and a Bachelor's Degree in Sports and Leisure Management. The aim of the degree in Tourism is that students become experts capable of multidisciplinary cooperation in tourism. The overriding themes of the degree are the development of creativity, responsible tourism entrepreneurship, international competence and self-knowledge as well as adventure in tourism product development. Students will conduct close co-operation within a variety of learning assignments with tourism businesses and operators.

At the beginning, the studies will focus on basic skills and knowledge accumulation proceeding to applying acquired skills and knowledge. Students study customer-driven and holistic product development and marketing as well as getting to know different cultures for the purposes of international tourism. Tourism consists of many different components, such as accommodation, catering, transport and program services as well as meeting and conference services. The final part of the studies will highlight the application of practical expertise. The degree enables students to choose desired major (specialist) subjects in order to deepen your expertise within different areas of tourism, e.g. Adventure and life experience activities where students learn how to identify essential summer and winter nature and sports tourism activities in Finland, as well as to understand the key requirements of implementing them. How to manage the basic physical skills of different forms of outdoor exercise and how to provide customers with unique and authentic once-in-a-life-time experience. Accommodation business expertise focus on the diversity of the accommodation sector, as well as the impacts of changing operational environments in the sector.

The Degree in Tourism and Leisure Management consist of basic, professional and optional professional studies, free-choice studies, a thesis and practical training. Practical training can be completed in various public or private sports and exercise related environments. The aim of the degree is that students will become sports and exercise experts. Such professional expertise is based on a multidisciplinary knowledge base, practical expertise and interaction skills. Sports Instructors (UAS) will be able to work independently in sports and exercise related tasks requiring expertise that include challenges such as health promoting exercise, activity tourism, entrepreneurship, sports leadership and communication. They will be proficient in managing and leading complex professional work or projects as well as being able to operate in multidisciplinary and multi-professional teams and networks. When comparing the mentioned qualifications with the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management the major subject areas co-inside with each other.

Ethiopia: Arba Mich University, University of Addis Ababa, Jimma University, Mizan Thepe University and Hawassa University: As part of the Strongbow project (as mentioned above) the listed universities were assisted in the alignment and curriculum development of amongst others qualifications in Tourism and Eco Tourism Management. Although curricula provide for its own unique environment within Ethiopia, similarities are found in the major components of the qualifications in tourism development, destination management, research methodology, (international) marketing where applicable, product and service development and general business management and leadership. The following corresponding qualifications are offered in Ethiopia: Bachelor's degree in Tourism Management with majors in Rural and tourism development, mini research project and application to the world of work. Sustainable development and eco-tourism form part of the core curriculum in the 4th year of study. Progression to the Master's degree in Business Management with specialisation in Tourism Management.

Industry organisations: In the absence of a professional body, benchmarking with recognised national and international organisations and their industry requirements becomes relevant and important. Such organisations include amongst others: ASATA (Association of South African Travel Agents); IATA (International Air Transport Association); SAA (South African Airways); BA British Airways; Travel port Galileo. These trade organisations govern specific requirements within the subsectors of the tourism industry. As major employers of our students' relevant alignment of qualifications ensures employability of students. This learning programme includes specific components which are accredited with the mentioned organisations and in many instances, students will also complete external industry evaluations where relevant. Examples of this include the operation of a global distribution system, knowledge of airfares, the airline industries and travel management.

All the above mentioned universities and industry organisation examples correspond well with the proposed programmes and provide opportunities for articulation and exchange of students on the different levels of education. It also needs to be noted that this qualification in tourism may, due to the internasionalisation of its curriculum be successfully benchmarked against other international universities.

Conclusion

All the above mentioned universities and industry organisation examples correspond well with the proposed qualification and provide opportunities for articulation and exchange of learners on the different levels of education.