Higher Certificate in Tourism and Travel Management Practice

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Tourism Management qualification is aimed to offer learners a considered and thoughtful entry-level higher education qualification with a strong industry (vocational) oriented focus. The qualification serves to provide learners with the requisite introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques for higher education studies as well as professional-occupational practice in the interrelated fields of Tourism and Travel Services industry. It emphasises selected general principles together with more specific procedures and their application. This qualification will signify that the graduate has attained an introductory level of Higher Education knowledge and competence in Tourism and Travel Management Practice and is capable of applying such knowledge and competence in an occupational role. The qualification includes a simulated work experience or work-integrated learning (WIL) component. This, uniquely facilitates access to the world-of-work, as learners will be able to attain knowledge in support of those areas of the world-of-work that rely on the application of the knowledge and skills systems supporting tourism and travel services management practices. The course is designed to prepare learners to demonstrate an ability to operate reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate to the context in professional-occupational environments in which graduates will participate (at the entry-level).

Rationale

There is a lack of capacity in the current South African higher education system to accommodate school leavers who do not qualify for admission to Degree studies. Equally, the question of flexibility in relation to educational modes of delivery for school-leavers and lifelong learning in higher education also receives its fair share of attention. Distance education as a mode of delivery offers access to learners faced with geographical restrictions as well as being a more flexible cost-effective option for many learners when the additional costs of full-time study (including loss of productivity and the associated living expenses) are factored into the decision to pursue a higher certificate and higher education qualification.

The Higher Certificate in Tourism and Travel Management Practice is designed to offer learners access to further studies in Higher Education. Many learners who do not obtain a Diploma or Degree access on their National Senior Certificate or National Certificate Vocational can, upon successful completion of this qualification, progress vertically to a target qualification of their choice as the admission requirements would have been met. Within this ambit, the Higher Certificate Tourism and Travel Management Practice is an ideal gateway qualification which permits learners to articulate vertically by means of credit accumulation and transfer into Diploma and Degree studies.

This qualification is aimed at those learners who wish to pursue a career in the subfield of Tourism and Travel Services Management. The design ensures that graduates are able to contribute to the transformation of the South African economic context, while also being able to operate successfully in the global context. In the increasingly competitive, sophisticated and changing world of work, the development of entry level order competency both cognitive and practical is essentially critical. Tourism and Travel Consultants/Operators are increasingly required to access and consolidate, or to generate, information at both theoretical and practical levels in order to produce and deliver a bundle of satisfactory services and outputs. While this qualification is located in the sphere of knowledge reproduction, it provides a viable platform for knowledge production in the associated fields of practice. It will equip candidates with the required skills, values, attributes and knowledge of the tourism sector. A successful candidate would have developed the necessary knowledge and skills to work efficiently in a challenging world of work environment. The qualification provides a balance in the travel and tourism field that is broadly enabling in relation to career pathways while providing opportunities for specialisation through vertical articulation pathways. The qualification provides exciting career opportunities in the field Tourism and Travel Services Management such as:

• Reservation agents for water, air, and surface travel
• Junior leisure facilities manager for theme parks, cinemas etc
• Junior Marketing.
• Booking/Ticket Agent.
• Customer Relationship.
• Key Accounts Assistant.
• Travel Consultant.
• Front Office Assistant Manager.
• Data Capturer
• Tourism Sales Support.
• Tourism Guide.
• Assistant or Advisor/Consultant in Marketing of services.
• Assistant Travel and Tourism Manager.
• Communications Coordinator.

In the increasingly competitive, sophisticated and changing world of work; the continued development of refined higher order applied knowledge is essential. The curriculum has been designed to shape the undergraduate student's skills whilst realising the pursuit of life-long learning to build successful careers and to remain productive and responsible citizens. The qualification provides a balance in fields that are broadly enabling in relation to career/professional pathways while providing opportunities for a variety of studies through vertical and/or horizontal articulation pathways.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy complies with and is informed by

• South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA's) National Policy for the Implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (March 2013).
• Council on Higher Education (CHE)'s Policies on the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment in Higher Education (August 2016).

The institution's RPL Policy provides a broad framework for assessing cases of RPL in a manner that is fair, transparent and consistent. The following principles guide the framework:

a. RPL is a mechanism for assessing and evaluating informal, non-formal, and experiential learning.

b. RPL is used to (i) gain admission to HE where a student does not meet the formal entry requirements; and, (ii) for advanced placement where a student can demonstrate learning to be in place.

c. In all instances, the successful admission into a programme on the basis of RPL (which assesses informal and non-formal learning acquired through work and life experience) is always at the discretion of the institution and may require students to satisfy additional requirements, which are clearly and publically stipulated by the institution.

d. Students applying for admission into a programme on the basis of RPL can only be exempted for a maximum of 50% of the modules in any qualification. This is in keeping with the regulation that requires students to obtain 50% of a qualification at the institution that is going to award the certificate for the qualification.

e. The principles of RPL require a thorough assessment and evaluation of prior knowledge and skills which are to be "made visible, mediated and rigorously assessed and moderated for the purposes of gaining access and admission, recognition and certification, or further learning and development" (CHE, 2016). There are, therefore, no guarantees that a student will gain admittance into a programme or receive an exemption from modules. Each student's application for RPL will be handled on a case-by-case basis and the rules and regulations governing the process, rigorously, diligently, and consistently applied by the Academic Committee to ensure a fair outcome.

f. While provision is made for admission into Boston higher education programmes on the basis of RPL, students should take note that the policy governing this process only allows for a maximum of 10% of a cohort of students to be admitted in this way.

g. The Academic Committee and the Office of the Registrar are responsible for adjudicating applications for admission into programmes via RPL and, for communicating, in writing (via email), the outcomes of such adjudication to students.

h. No credits will be awarded for the modules that a student is exempted from doing on the basis of RPL. A student who, on the basis of RPL, is granted exemption from doing some modules in a qualification programme will complete the qualification with a total number of credits that is less than the required number of credits for the qualification in question.

Entry Requirements

Access to the Higher Certificate is granted to all applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements. Applicants who are in a possession of a:

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Higher Certificate Studies and with English as one of the subjects passed.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) (NC (V)) Granting Access to Higher Certificate Studies and with English as one of the subjects passed.

Or

• Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate in Travel and Tourism Operations.

This qualification comprises compulsory, modules at Level 5 totalling, 126 Credits

• Tourism Development 1, 16 Credits.
• Business Communication 1, 10 Credits.
• Travel Industry Operations 1A, 10 Credits.
• Computer Literacy, 16 Credits.
• Tourism Destinations: South Africa, 10 Credits.
• Basic Financial Accounting, 16 Credits.
• Tourism Destinations: Southern Africa, 12 Credits.
• Travel Industry Operations 1B, 12 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Marketing, 10 Credits.
• Experiential Learning in Tourism and Travel, 14 Credits.

1. Comprehend the foundational development of tourism, and its socio- economic and ecological impacts of the industry and the country at large.
2. Investigate the nature of office automation, office equipment and how it is being used within the tourism environment, the important role automated equipment plays in the efficient running of any travel office.
3. Comprehend the role of effective communication, the environment and range of tourism and travel marketing planning and appreciate the important role played by travel agencies in the worldwide tourism industry.
4. Analyse destinations/geography of both South Africa and the Southern and Central Africa tourism in terms of its cultural heritage sites, museums, cultural villages, botanical gardens, national parks, modes of transport etc.
5. Comprehend the importance of basic financial accounting in relation to tourism and travel industry with regards to accounting principles; frameworks; qualitative characteristics; elements of financial statements; and financial position.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the foundational history of tourism.
• Analyse the socio-economic and ecological impacts of the tourism and travel industry.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the practicalities (a 'life cycle' essential requirements of tourism) regarding tourism development - planning, travelling documents, insurance covers, attractions, routing, accommodation, catering, transport/logistical arrangements and associated benefits etc.
• Evaluate the nature of the tourism product and its socio-economic and ecological impacts of the industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate competence in the effective use of computer and manipulation of operating systems and systems application software, with specific emphasis on the tourism and travel industry.
• Demonstrate skills and knowledge to store organize and access information as well as operate and manage office equipment in a tourism environment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of how to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to operate a small business as either a tourism and travel services agent.
• Process bookings by making reservations and issuing documentation using a computerised central reservations system.
• Describe the different basic equipment and technology that is found in a travel and tourism office.
• Identify the types of equipment and technology that are found in a travel and tourism office and explain their benefits.
• Evaluate the sources of information available in the tourism industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Explain the importance of travel and tourism in terms of its contribution to the economy.
• Demonstrate an understanding of marketing of goods and services for small-largescale service operations.
• Differentiate between services provided by large organisations and small and medium businesses.
• Identify and explain the special characteristics of services provided by travel and tourism organisations.
• Strengthen the profession of travel and tourism in general by providing quality experiences to tourists clients.
• Identify and suggest possible solutions to problems that could occur within the travel and tourism environment.
• Demonstrate an ability to plan a tour itinerary and advise a client on the pre-requisites of a successful tour.
• Explain the different segments of the tourism market whilst learning how important planning is in the constructing of tour packages for customers.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the tourism documentation travel consultants work with on a daily basis.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of effective communication as an interactive tool in the tourism and travel services environment.
• Execute marketing activities related to any business within the travel and tourism industry.
• Demonstrate skills to organise and plan a travel tour for the sustainable economic benefit of tourist destinations
• Demonstrate the ability to use maps and other reference documents to locate and identify major tourists' destinations/attractions in the tourism and travel service industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Describe what South Africa has to offer to international tourists, her history to tourists and the type of events and festivals available in the country.
• Demonstrate broad knowledge of sustainable tourism development and destinations within South Africa and parts of the Southern and Central Africa.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the different elements, equipment and standards that are necessary for a global travel agency.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how office automation equipment how it is utilised within the travel and tourism environment.
• Demonstrate an ability to make informed decision regarding the relatively large capital investment outlay involved in the acquisition of office automation equipment.
• Identify the various types of Tourism Industry (local/international) Associations and discuss their objectives, roles and functions and to analyse the concept of the Billing and Settlement Plan Southern Africa (BSPZA).
• Explain the benefits of subscribing to the BSP membership.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate knowledge of basic financial accounting and how it relates to the travel and tourism industry.
• Describe the underlying assumptions attached to the preparation of financial statements.
• Explain the qualitative characteristics of financial statements.
• Provide accounting definitions of the elements of the financial statements.
• Discuss the accounting recognition criteria and understand the financial performance and result management.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment is ordinary practice in this type of qualification and is essential to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved in relation to the occupational or professional focus carried by the qualifier and in terms of its propositional and declarative knowledge, vocational relevance, reflective competency and critical cross-field learning outcomes.

Successful learners will have undertaken an extensive process in which assessments progressively build the learners ' integrated competency to a point where the student is able to express-through a range of mechanisms measured against valid, reliable and transparent criteria-that they can operate effectively in an occupational position within the knowledge system specified by the qualification title Higher Certificate in Tourism and Travel Management Practice.

Formative assessment integrates the cycle of teaching and learning, and assessment. Study guides and texts contain self-assessment exercises. The scheme of work includes formal assessments in the form of tests and/or assignments based on the learning material and learners are graded and provided written feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited in the number of outcomes assessed.

Summative assessments are in the form of proctored examinations, or equivalent assessment such as a research essay in which students write an essay based on the research (read, literature review) they conduct on a topic, appropriate to the NQF Level or qualification type. Summative assessment also tests the student's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a learning qualification. For purposes of assessment, submission of research reports is subject to the processes and approval of the research committee. Research reports are assessed by both an internal and external assessor.

Formal formative and summative assessments in the learning qualifications are internally moderated and all formal formative and summative assessments at the exit level are both internally and externally moderated according to the policy of the institution. The qualification embraces a continuous outcomes based assessment model. External assessors and/or moderators are appointed to validate the learners' examination and final assessments. The Examinations Committee is the final decision making body that is responsible for the promotion of learners and the awarding of results.