Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism Management

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to

• Provide qualifying learners with training to meet perceived needs of a specialised tourism industry.
• Provide students with intellectual, entrepreneurial and practical skills relevant to the dynamic market environment.
• Equip students with good analytical and communication skills and understanding of organisational needs.
• Blend vocational training with a broad management education for the industry's future leaders.

Rationale

Tourism is a dynamic and ever-changing science; dealing with people and their needs and desires to take part in new life experiences, in South Africa and other destinations around the world. The qualification fulfils the local, regional and provincial needs for undergraduate studies in Tourism Management and development, by offering a Bachelor in Commerce Degree in Tourism Management. Tourism Management graduates may progress to Honours, Masters, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification does grant RPL for modules passed at other tertiary institutions accredited by Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC)/Council of Higher Education (CHE)/South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)/Department of Higher Education(DoHE). A structured process for the assessment of individual learners will be followed against the exit level outcomes of the qualification on a case-by-case basis. The student will submit a formal application letter requesting for RPL on specific exit level outcomes.

The letter will be accompanied by the following documents

• Academic record of modules applied for.
• Course outline of module in question.
• List of other learning material used during the study of the modules in question.
• Contacts of the institution where the modules were received.
• The Department will assess if the modules applied for are at least 60% and above similar to those offered at University of Venda.
• The Head of Department (HOD) will then recommend the recognition to the Dean for approval.
• In case of the Industry experience, the student will submit the portfolio of evidence on industry work for scrutiny and the Head Of Department will recommend to the Dean for approval.

Entry Requirements

To be admitted onto the Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism Management Degree programme applicants should achieve a

• Senior Certificate (SC) with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) passed with Bachelor's Degree admission.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF level 4 passed with Bachelor's Degree admission.

The qualification consists of modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling a minimum of 360 Credits.

Modules at Level 5

• Travel Practice and Operations TPO 1542 (12 credits) Tourism Management TMA 1541, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Development TMD 1541, 12 Credits.
• Introductory English ECS 1541, 12 Credits.
• Travel Practice and Operations TPO 1642 (12 credits) Tourism Management TMA 1641, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Development TMD 1641, 12 Credits.
• Introductory English ECS 1643, 10 Credits.
• Business Information Systems BIS 1641 (12 credits).

Electives

• Statistics STA 1648, 12 Credits.

Or

Mathematics Mat 1645, 12 Credits.

Electives

• Statistics STA 1548, 12 Credits.

Or

• Mathematics Mat 1545, 12 Credits.

Students must pass the following module in order to register them at 2nd year level

• Travel Practice and Operations TPO 1542 and TPO 1642 Tourism Management TMA 1541 and TMA 1641.
• Tourism Development TMD 1541 and TMD 1642.

Modules at Level 6

• Travel Practice and Operations TPO 2542, 15 credits.
• Tourism Management TMA 2541, 15 Credits.
• Tourism Development TMD 2541, 15 Credits.
• Commercial Law COL 1541, 12 Credits.
• Accounting ACC 1541, 12 Credits.
• Travel Practice and Operations TPO 2642, 15 Credits.
• Tourism Management TMA 2641, 15 Credits.
• Tourism Development TMD 2641, .15 Credits.
• Commercial Law COL 1641, .12 Credits.
• Accounting ACC 1641, 12 Credits.

Learners must pass the following module in order to register them at 3rd year level

• Travel Practice and Operations TPO 2542 and TPO 2642 Tourism Management TMA 2541 and TMA 2641
• Tourism Development TMD 2541 and TMD 2642

Modules at Level 7

• Travel Practice and Operations TPO 3542, 15 Credits.
• Tourism Management TMA 3541, 15 Credits.
• Tourism Development TMD 3541, 15 Credits.
• Economics ECO 1541, 12 Credits.
• Travel Practice and Operations TPO 3642, 15 Credits.
• Tourism Management TMA 3641, 15 Credits.
• Tourism Development TMD 3641, 15 Credits.
• Economics ECO 1641, 12 Credits.

1. Understand tourism industry, linkages between tourism and the rest of the hospitality industry, the various components of the tourism industry, role of the cultural, historic preservation, arts and humanities to the tourism industry, integration of tourism to a developing economy, and linkages between tourism and the environment.
2. Be familiar with tourist attraction site and must manage accommodation and transportation tasks.
3. Understand the leisure segment industry, operations procedures in the hospitality industry, skills development issues, time and change management concepts, business ethics, and diversity issues.
4. Acquire basic knowledge of Economics and Accounting.
5. Acquire knowledge and understanding, to at least intermediate level of a range of key topics and analytical techniques, particularly in Tourism Policy Planning and Development, Marketing Management, Travel Practice and Management and Hospitality and Commercial Law.
6. Acquire knowledge and understanding of Tourism Policy, concepts and techniques employed in marketing the tourism industry products and services, skills to explore aspects of the tourism industry and the various roles in the Tourism Management.
7. Acquire and have ability to demonstrate application of Business Information skills to hospitality/tourism problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Formulate tourism destination policies.
• Prepare a tourism development strategy.
• Conduct a basic environmental impact assessment.
• Recommend strategies using case studies as a base for sustainable tourism development.
• Organise and implement projects through the application of project management principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Plan, organise and execute a range of housekeeping functions, including the supervision of casual labour, within the various lodging units in the Hospitality Industry.
• Plan, organise and execute daily Front Office activities.
• Control the maintenance functions of a lodging facility.
• Arrange transport for patrons.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop and present a personal portfolio of experiential learning experiences in the tourism industry and produce a report on experiences and competences acquired during experiential learning.
• Prepare for interviews, analyse an interview, assess the effectiveness of conversations, conduct selection and performance interviews, conduct, prepare and assess presentations.
• Maintain individual time through the application of time management principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify and determine supply and demand factors.
• Determine the correct pricing strategy in accordance with the market of operation (fee-based, cost-plus, market based, predatory, premium, marginal cost, peak/off peak, future).
• Analyse cost, profit and volumes.
• Apply the applicable exchange rate and know when to enter intro forward cover contracts.
• Identify unethical trading behaviour in the tourism industry by using ethical principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply international, regional, trade block and local laws, regulation and regulating bodies.
• Management systems to provide an integrated business travel management service.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Apply advanced entrepreneurial concepts to identify opportunities in the tourism industry.
• Compile and appraise a marketing plan.
• Compile and appraise a production/service plan.
• Compile and appraise a organisational and management plan.
• Compile and appraise a financial plan.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply information technology to support travel and tourism.
• Apply internet marketing theories to design the content and layout of a tourism website.
• Match essential information technology packages in the provision of added-value travel management expertise.
• Match supply chain management systems to provide an integrated business travel management service.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification is awarded on successful completion of all prescribed modules up to year 3.

The following assessment criteria will apply

• Learners are expected to submit one written assignment/project (individual or group) which weighs 20%, write two tests (20% each) and sit for one three hours examination (40%).
• For each formative task given, students will receive written and oral individual and group feedback.
• Learners must obtain a minimum of 40% in formative assessment to be admitted for final examination (summative assessment).
• Final pass mark will be 50%.
• No supplementary examination will be considered for any mark less than 30%.
• Modules at 1st year and 2nd year levels will be assessed and moderated internally while modules at 3rd year level are will be assessed internally and externally moderated.