Diploma in Tourism

Purpose

The Diploma in Tourism is intended to provide entry-level vocational preparation and applied specialisation in the tourism field. Qualifying learners would be competent in using a variety of technical, management and practical skills in the daily operations of a tourism establishment. The qualification offers an appropriate balance of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, and the inclusion of a work based learning component ensures that qualifying learners are better prepared to enter the world of work.

The qualification outcomes meet the needs of both the domestic and international tourism industry. While the fundamental modules address the need for general knowledge and skills required in the workplace, the core modules address the need for specialist knowledge and skills in the field of tourism. The qualification will also broaden access to higher education, as the admission requirements are lower than those required for Degree qualifications. Furthermore, the qualification prepares learners for a range of positions in both the public and private travel and tourism sectors, and presents opportunities for articulation across institutions, both nationally and internationally.

Rationale

Tourism is very important for the South African (SA) and global economy, in terms of direct and indirect employment and contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Moreover, tourism has a tremendous multiplier effect over other economic sectors, and the tourism sector in South Africa is forecast to grow even larger. Tourist arrivals to South Africa continue to grow every year, and its direct and indirect contribution to SA's GDP is approximately R323 billion annually, which constitutes approximately 9.5% of total GDP. In 2015, approximately 1 551 500 people in South Africa were employed in the Travel and Tourism sector, and by 2025, this sector is expected to employ approximately 2 028 000 people, representing an increase of 2.7% p.a. over the period (WTTC 2014). If tourism is to reach its full potential in terms of contributing to socio-economic development, job creation and business opportunities, an adequately skilled workforce is imperative.

According to the National Development Plan (NDP) education is the critical enabler for economic development and growth in South Africa; it also defines students' identity; enables them to take control of their own lives; raise healthy families, and plays a meaningful role in the broader development of society. In the above regard, the qualification will meet the growing needs of the tourism industry for knowledgeable and skilled employees, as well as contribute to the economic development and growth of the country.

Moreover, by offering a diploma qualification in Tourism, as opposed to a degree qualification, access to higher education is broadened, and the employment prospects of the qualifying learners are improved.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an RPL policy in place that allows learners access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (completed qualifications, short courses and work experience). RPL applications for the institution are received by the institution. The learners are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting an extensive work-based learning. The institution assesses the learner's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes, and credits/exemption may be granted for some modules in the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

Or

• National Senior Certificate with a Diploma endorsement, NQF Level 4.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4.

Or

• NATED (N4, N5) qualification in the tourism and hospitality field, NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Level 5 and 6 totalling 368 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 124 credits

• Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
• Business Communication and Information Literacy, 16 Credits.
• Service Excellence for Tourism and Hospitality, 8 Credits.
• Tourism Marketing 1, 16 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Tourism Management, 16 Credits.
• Travel and Transport Operations 1, 16 Credits.
• Technological Applications in Tourism, 12 Credits.
• Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development 1, 16 Credits.
• Customer Relations Management, 12 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5: 16 Credits (Choose one module)

• Introduction to French, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to German, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Hindi, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Mandarin, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Swahili, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Portuguese, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6: 216 Credits

• Tourism Geography and Destination Management, 16 Credits.
• Travel and Transport Operations 2, 16 Credits.
• Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development 2, 16 Credits.
• Tourism Marketing 2, 16 Credits.
• Travel and Transport Operations 3, 16 Credits.
• Event Management, 16 Credits.
• Tourism Financial Management, 16 Credits.
• Tourism Work Based Learning 1, 24 Credits.
• Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development 3, 16 Credits.
• Workplace Preparedness, 8 Credits.
• Tourism Work Based Learning 2, 24 Credits.
• Tourism Marketing 3, 16 Credits.
• Tourism Entrepreneurship, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6: 12 Credits (Choose one module)

• Tour Guiding, 12 Credits.
• Technological Applications for Travel and Tourism, 12 Credits.
• Front Office Operations, 12 Credits.

1. Explain and interpret detailed knowledge, including the use of key terms, concepts, facts, principles and theories applicable to the tourism discipline/industry.
2. Apply relevant tourism business knowledge and skills to solve problems and implement relevant and innovative strategies to meet challenges faced by tourism establishments.
3. Communicate and present information professionally, clearly and fluently in both written and spoken forms.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of ethics and professional practice in decision-making and choosing alternate courses of action in a tourism context.
5. Apply information technology software competently.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Tourism terms, concepts, facts and principles are explained and interpreted using appropriate and current literature, methodologies, procedures, processes, and techniques.
• An understanding of the operations in the tourism industry is demonstrated through theoretical an applied competence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Tourism knowledge, procedures and skills are identified, evaluated and applied to solve problems.
• Relevant tourism business and marketing strategies are implemented to improve tourism business operations.
• Independent judgments are made critically and logically.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Tourism-related information is presented and communicated reliably and coherently, using appropriate academic and professional formats and technologies for a given context.
• Ideas and arguments are clearly presented to diverse audiences, both orally and in writing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Ethical and professional decisions are taken and justified by drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches within the tourism industry and related sectors.
• Prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct are practiced during work-based-learning.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Appropriate software qualifications are used to communicate effectively with tourism stakeholders.
• The ability to apply appropriate software programmes pertaining to guest bookings; generating invoices; etc. is demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment

Aligned the institutions Assessment Policy, regarding integrated assessments for the Diploma in Tourism

• The assessments will be aligned with the stated learning outcomes for the qualification.
• Appropriate assessment tools will be used to establish that learners have achieved the stated learning outcomes.
• Assessment will be systematic, regular and formative, and feedback to the learners about their progress toward exit level competence will be timeous and constructive.
• The assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid and reliable, and ensure that no student is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever.

The Assessment of the fundamental modules will be integrated into the core modules, and the assessment of a number of core modules will be integrated into the practical assessments. The Integrated Assessments will make use of a range of Formative and Summative Assessment tools to assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies, and include: simulations; practical's; written assignments; written tests; case studies and case presentations. The Assessment of work-integrated learning will require learners to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from all of the modules in the qualification.