Diploma in Tourism Management

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification in Tourism Management is to qualify the learner to be competent in consistently using a variety of technical, managerial and personal skills and strategies in the everyday running of a tourism enterprise. The successful learner will have developed a sound foundation for progression into management and industry leadership positions and to exploit entrepreneurial opportunities.

Rationale

The qualification in Tourism Management supports the mission of the Central University of Technology (CUT) in sustainable development as part of tourism development, unlocking the community's potential to benefit from teaching, research and consultancy service as well as addressing real world issues through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In line with the Central University of Technology (CUT) RPL policy, this qualification may be achieved in part or RPL in whole through the Recognition of Prior Learning, at the discretion of the institution (provider). 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. Independent assessors will moderate this process and assessment of individual cases. It is the policy of CUT to facilitate access to public higher education, especially to persons who were previously disadvantaged in terms of access to public higher education, by recognizing prior learning achievements of individuals irrespective of how their learning achievements were acquired. In this commitment the CUT records that its policy aim is not intended to accredit but to give due Recognition to Prior Learning achievements in determining access. It is the policy that aspirant students, who wishes to become students of the Learning Qualification through RPL, must present themselves together with credible evidence of learning achievements. It is also the aim to ensure that both the RPL process and outcomes, as an assessment procedure, be guided by the salient aspects of quality assurance a critical pre-requisite for maintaining acceptable procedures would be the following:

• Prior learning assessments can only be made against clearly formulated learning outcomes and modules prescribed by the curriculum for the Diploma: Tourism Management.
• RPL Application procedure: Prospective student completes the prescribed RPL form obtainable from Assessment and Graduation Services (AGS) of the CUT.
• The completed and signed form is submitted to the AGS; This form is channelled to the relevant Head of Department (HODs) office.
• The relevant HOD, as chairperson in conjunction with experts in the field for which recognition of prior learning is requested, assesses the application.
• They then make their findings on a fit for purpose special form signed by all members of the departmental RPL committee.
• The relevant HOD meets with the chairperson of the Faculty RPL Committee to peruse the completeness of documentation and recommendation from the Departmental RPL committee.
• When the chairperson is satisfied with the documentation, he/she signs the fit for purpose form.
• The signed recommendation is then presented to EXCO for discussion and approval which all members must sign.
• EXCOs decision is then sent to AGS for implementation.
• Implementation involves AGS sending a letter to the applicant.

An applicant can appeal the EXCO decision; and a successful RPL applicant can now apply for the specific qualification for which RPL was sought and nothing else.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to a Diploma is

• A National Senior Certificate.

Or

• A Similar qualification.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at Level 5 6 and 7 totalling 392 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 156 Credits

• Tourism Management I, 18 Credits.
• Tourism Development I, 18 Credits.
• Numeracy, 6 Credits.
• Advanced Digital Literacy, 6 Credits.
• French or German or Spanish I, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Industry Law I, 6 Credits.
• Event Management I, 6 Credits.
• Academic Literacy and Communication Studies, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Financial Management I, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Marketing I, 18 Credits.
• Tourism Practice I, 18 Credits.
• Digital Literacy, 6 Credits.
• Hospitality Operations II, 6 Credits.
• Tourism Media and Communication I, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 128 Credits

• Tourism Marketing II, 18 Credits.
• Tourism Financial Management II, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Service Excellence I, 6 Credits.
• Tourism Practice II, 24 Credits.
• Tourism Management II, 12 Credits.
• Hospitality Operations I, 6 Credits.
• Tourism Development II, 24 Credits.
• Galelio, 16 Credits.
• Project Administration I, 6 Credits.
• Culture Studies I, 4 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 108 Credits

• Tourism Marketing III, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Management III, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Management Work Integrated Learning, 60 Credits.
• Tourism Practice III, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Development III, 12 Credits.

1. Perform the functions required of a tourism manager and directed at developing and promoting tourism in a changing environment and niche markets.
2. Gather and analyse tourism information to address the management needs of industry.
3. Perform appropriate practical skills and expertise in a professional service component of the tourism industry (WIL).
4. Perform the necessary technical and operational tasks in a Tourism enterprise.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across Exit Level Outcomes.

• Formulate and implement sustainable tourism planning strategies. Prepare a detailed business plan.
• Identify entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Organise and manage events and conferences.
• Select and review key tourism destinations.
• Calculate advanced fares and ticketing.
• Operate as a tourist guide.
• Organise and implement tourism activities in a co-operative education position in the tourism industry.
• Identify and solve problems demonstrating responsible decision-making, originality and a critically evaluative approach.
• Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.
• Organise and manage time and activities responsibly and effectively.
• Collect analyse organise and critically evaluate information.
• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion.
• Use technology effectively and critically.

Contribute to the full personal development of each learner as an individual, the subject field and society at large, by making it the underlying intention of the tourism qualification to make learners aware of the importance of:

• Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
• Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
• Recognising the relationship between tourism/hospitality and social, economic, environmental and political contexts.
• Exploring education and career opportunities.
• And Developing entrepreneurial skills and opportunities within the tourism/hospitality industry.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification in Tourism Management follows an integrated assessment approach (described below). Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to demonstrate that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across outcomes to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relations to the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment must not only judge the quality of the observable performances, but also the quality of thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will be of a more practical nature while others will be of a more theoretical nature. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the type and level of qualification. A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained that each takes its rightful place. Integrated assessment includes: number of outcomes together; number of assessment criteria together; number of unit standards together; combination of assessment methods and instruments for an outcome/outcomes; collecting naturally occurring evidence (such as in the workplace setting); Acquiring evidence from other sources such as supervisors reports, testimonials, portfolios of work previously done, logbooks, journals. Different assessment methods are applied according to the type of competencies being assessed. Assessment methods include assessment in the written and verbal form, observation of operational competencies, and individual and team behaviour. A stipulated due date for the different assessment methods is provided to students in the study guide and year planner at the beginning of the year or semester. Learners are also informed of the contribution of the assessment to the course mark. The methods of assessment include the following:

• Tests and examinations.
• Written assignments.
• Case studies.
• Literature studies.
• Projects and reports.
• Oral group discussions.
• Simulation and role play.
• Film/video evaluations and presentations.
• Practical assessment.
• Work based learning.
• Assessment of research.

Formative assessment takes place in either an informal or a formal manner. Informal formative assessment takes place by facilitators to monitor the teaching/learning process.