Diploma in Tourism Management

Purpose

The Diploma in Tourism Management provides learners with vocational knowledge and skills required in the tourism industry. Learners will be able to utilise and apply operational skills and problem-solving techniques within tourism businesses or public tourism institutions. The qualification provides learners with hands-on skills.

Learners will also know operations in travel practices, and skills required to work in various sectors of the tourism industry, such as tourism events', travel agencies', tour operations', accommodation and airlines' businesses.

Rationale

This qualification targets high school leavers and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners. Learners can pursue further studies following the pathway of a Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Postgraduate, Masters and Doctorate.

This qualification stems from the need for training learners to acquire sound knowledge and operational skills much needed in the tourism industry. Some of the learners cannot qualify to study towards a Bachelor qualification but aspire towards a tourism qualification. This qualification caters for such learners, in granting higher education access to South Africans, especially those from the rural areas.

The modules in this qualification help drive domestic tourism amongst the youth of South Africa and empower local communities' especially rural people to have an enhanced global knowledge from the tourism perspective.

Learners of this qualification will enter both the public and private tourism sectors as entry-level employees.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is possible for this qualification and applied per the institutional policy.

The Policy and Procedures for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) of the institution, is one of the critical mechanisms for achieving redress and equity and accelerating access.

This policy and set of procedures are for the following purposes and applies to this qualification

• Transfer of credits from one institution to another institution.
• Admission to a learning qualification where the minimum requirements are insufficient. The learners can meet the requirements through Recognition of Prior Learning (excluding mature age exemption category of exemption for admission to undergraduate qualification).
• Admission to the qualification with advanced standing or "Fast-tracking".

A learner seeking Recognition of Prior Learning is required to do an assessment that recognises skills and knowledge as reflected holistically in the outcomes of the qualification.

Procedures for the transfer of credits from another institution of higher education are as follows

• The learner applies for Recognition of Prior Learning to the Registrar's office in writing using the prescribed form.
• The Registrar's office informs the Departments HOD to award such credits.
• Present the request for transfer of credits to the relevant faculty for approval.
• Upon approval, forward the application to the Senate for final approval.
• Record the mark for modules transferred in the learner's record.

Learners submitting for Recognition of Prior Learning are thoroughly briefed before the assessment and are required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format assessed for formal recognition. While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour can be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit level outcomes.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• Relevant Higher Certificate, NQF Level 5.

Or

• Relevant Advanced Certificate, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5 and 6 totalling 390 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 180 Credits

• Travel and Tourism Development 1A, 12 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Management 1A, 12 Credits.
• Travel Practice 1A, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Events Management A, 12 Credits.
• Computer Literacy for Information Studies 1, 15 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Development 1B, 12 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Management 1B, 12 Credits.
• Travel Practice 1B, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Events Management B, 12, Credits.
• Computer Literacy for Information Studies 2, 15 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Marketing A, 12 Credits.
• Beginner's German 1, 15 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Marketing B, 12 Credits.
• Beginner's German 2, 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 210 Credits

• Travel and Tourism Development 2A, 12 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Management 2A, 12 Credits.
• Travel Practice 2A, 12 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Development 2B, 12 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Management 2B, 12 Credits.
• Travel Practice 2B, 12 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Development 3, 12 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Management 3, 12 Credits.
• Travel Practice 3, 12, Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Information Systems, 12 Credits.
• Tourism Employability skills, 30 Credits.
• Tourism Work Integrated Learning (TWIL), 60 Credits.

1. Evaluate dynamic tourism trends in the global tourism environment.
2. Critically evaluate and apply tourism development principles and practices in tourism destinations.
3. Demonstrate the knowledge of operations in travel practices, and skills required to work in tourism events', travel agencies', tour operations' and airlines' businesses.
4. Apply marketing, financial and basic strategic management principles in a tourism environment.
5. Understand and demonstrate how to plan, organise, lead and control entrepreneurial ventures in tourism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Describe the dynamic global tourism trends.
• Identify and evaluate new tourism demands.
• Assess emerging entrepreneurial opportunities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Explain tourism development principles and practices.
• Compare and evaluate tourism destinations and highlights of tourism best practices in these destinations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Outline operational needs in travel practices.
• Differentiate the skills required to work in tourism events', travel agencies', tour operations' and airlines' businesses.
• Use reservation software in travel and tourism practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Assess tourism marketing concepts and skills.
• Compile financial reports and evaluate business success based on the reports.
• Evaluate tourism destination competitiveness based on strategic management principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explain management processes of planning, organising, leading and controlling.
• Apply management processes on case studies.
• Simulate tourism business and events management processes.

Integrated Assessment

The integrated assessment takes the form of an appropriate variety of assessment methods for example: written and oral tests, examinations, problem-solving assignments, projects, presentations, case studies, portfolios, visual diaries, journals, fieldwork and the assessment of competence through simulated and actual work-integrated learning. This variety of assessment methods increase assessment opportunities and encourage the academic success of the learners. It provides the opportunity for all learners to excel in one or more methods of assessment, creating a culture of success.

To facilitate learning, and to establish the skills needed for practice and workplace learning, module assessments also make use of at least one case study. The case study deepens the learner's understanding of the module content and the link to practice.

Evaluate learners by both an experiential learning site mentor and the appropriate academics across both the theory and WIL modules. The allocation of assessments across the modules and the WIL ensures adequate integration of the learning with the WIL.