Diploma in Tourism Management

The purpose of the qualification is to equip learners to, within the context of any junior to a middle management position in any sector of the tourism industry, apply integrated operational, managerial and developmental skills and knowledge, which leads to the sustainable development of the operation and the destination at large.

Qualifying learners will have a broad insight into tourism and a fundamental understanding of tourism management principles and theories. Those who achieve this qualification will be competent inconsistently using a variety of technical, managerial and personal skills and strategies in the everyday running of a tourism enterprise. The successful learners will have developed a sound base for progression into management and industry leadership positions, thus and exploiting entrepreneurial opportunities.

The qualification is designed to allow learners to enter the tourism industry in a variety of both private and public sector tourism organisations, including, among others, hospitality, transport and support services. Furthermore, those who achieve this qualification will be able to manage tourism businesses, apply specialised industry knowledge and demonstrate initiative and responsibility in a professional or academic tourism management context.

Rationale

The National Diploma in Tourism Management is seeking to address the triple challenges facing South Africa, namely; poverty,inequality and unemployment. The Eastern Cape Province particularly is characterised by the prevailing poor socio-economic condition (Eastern Cape Tourism Master Plan 2009 - 2014, 2009). Tourism is regarded as one of the best mechanisms to grow the province's economy through its multiplier effect. Further training in the areas of management, development, entrepreneurship, marketing and research on tourism is then of importance.

The National Diploma in Tourism Management seeks to combine tourism development with tourism policy formulation and advanced strategic management with entrepreneurship and marketing. This will increase and promote the employment opportunities for WSU tourism management programme graduates at all spheres of government and the private sector, while also opening doors for entrepreneurship development in the country. The students will have an opportunity to be tourism entrepreneurs and create jobs rather than only seeking for employment.

Moreover, people who have experience in the tourism industry will be considered for the programme. A typical student falling in the category mentioned above are those that are tour guides, even teachers that are teaching tourism without necessary tourism qualifications. Furthermore, students that have graduated with matric and diplomas will be attractive to them as it will assist them in climbing on the corporate ladder. This programme lies within the vocational pathway because students will be able to pursue and resolve practical challenges faced in industry. Furthermore, they will utilise the theory and scientific methods to undertake.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Prior learning shall be recognized, subject to the requirements of the programme and as per WSU's the institution's policy for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission into this programme. This qualification may be achieved in part through recognition of the prior learning processes. Credits achieved by RPL must not exceed 50% of the total credits and must not include credits at the exit level.
• Evidence of prior learning must be assessed through formal RPL processes through recognized methods. Any other evidence of prior learning should be assessed through RPL processes to recognize achievement thereof.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NQF Level 4) or equivalent.

This Qualification consists of Elective and Compulsory modules at NQF levels 5,6,7 totalling 364 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 5, 120 Credits.

• Communication 1, 16 Credits.
• End User computing, 16 Credits.
• Marketing for tourism 1, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Tourism Development module, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Tourism Development module 2, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to management,12 Credits.
• Applied management, 12 Credits.
• Destinations 1, 8 Credits.
• Air Travel 1 , 8 Credits.
• Travel agency operations, 8 Credits.

Elective Modules at NQF Level 5.

• Conversational French, 0 Credits.
• Life skills, 0 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6, 84 Credits.

• Law of tourism, 16 Credits.
• Media and Public Relations Management, 16 Credits.
• Tourism development 2, 24 Credits.
• Personnel management 2, 12 Credits.
• Financial management 2, 12 Credits.
• Destinations 2, 16 Credits.

Elective modules at NQF Level 6, 24 Credits.

• Galileo, 0 Credits.
• Hospitality management , 8 Credits.
• Events management, 8 Credits.
• Tourism guiding 1, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7, 112 Credits.

• Co-Operative Education, 60 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Management 3, 20 Credits.
• Tourism Development 3, 20 Credits.
• Destinations 3, 12 Credits.

Elective modules at NQF level 7, 24 Credits.

• Hospitality management 2, NQF Level 8.
• Events management 2, NQF Level 8.
• Tourism guiding 2, 8 Credits.

1. Demonstrate operational knowledge and skills that are required in the various sectors of the travel operation industry.
2. Range of knowledge includes but is not limited to Air, rail, and coach transportation, car hire, cruises, accommodation, food and beverage, foreign exchange and travel insurance.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of sustainable tourism development and integrated environmental management.
4. Apply fundamental management procedures, operations and principles to ensure successful management within a business.
5. Review primary marketing principles and apply marketing strategies to individual tourism enterprises.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

- Demonstrate the fundamental knowledge of the following is

• Main sectors of the travel industry, its interrelationships and travel-related associations.
• Sources of income and expenditure for a travel agency.
• Various factors relating to travel insurance.
• Different aspects relating to accommodation in the travel industry.
• Foreign exchange and the relevant policies relating to foreign exchange.
• Demonstrate an informed understanding of tourism resources, attractions and destination organization.
• Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of the critical meetings and events and use of industry terminology.
• Explain the principles and procedures of the front office and housekeeping functions within the accommodation sector of the hospitality industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Explain the meaning of and approaches to tourism development.
• Make a distinction between leisure, recreation, and tourism.
• Illustrate the functioning of tourism as a system.
• Describe key terms used in the measurement of tourism.
• Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of the impact which the development of tourism can have on a destination.
• Identify and explain current and future issues that will influence the hospitality industry.
• The functioning, determinants and motivation of tourism demand are related to the personal experiences of tourists as consumers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of sustainable tourism development and integrated environmental management.
• Discuss the key principles for achieving sustainable tourism.
• Apply the principles for the implementation of sustainable tourism.
• Explain the relationships between tourism, the environment and the local community.
• Outline a responsible tourism approach to sustainable tourism development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify the guidelines for becoming a successful entrepreneur.
• Identify the main sources of income and expenditure for a travel agency.
• Discuss how the travel agency can maximise its profits.
• Explain fundamental accounting processes and principles used within the business environment and perform basic financial calculations.
• Describe and apply the various aspects relating to a business plan to businesses within the travel sector of the tourism industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Analyse the important role of a marketing plan within a tourism business.
• Utilise key marketing strategies in the tourism industry are applied.
• Evaluate and examine the behaviour of consumers of products and services to improve service delivery.

Integrated Assessment

All assessment integrates knowledge, skills and attributes and applied competence.

Learners are assessed in the following ways

Formative assessment

This form of assessment will be used before instruction, to find out where students are, and during instruction, to find out how they are progressing.

Summative assessment

This will be used to evaluate learning at the end of an as instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. This will be done through semester exams and the end of the year exams.