SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Tourism Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101434  Higher Certificate in Tourism Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the qualification which is closely tied to the rationale is to introduce learners to the tourism field. This qualification is designed to enable students to join the tourism industry sector at the entry level. This qualification will enable qualifying learners to:
  • Have a fundamental understanding of tourism management theory and principles.
  • Perform basic duties under supervision in the field of tourism management, for instance, general front office duties, do travel bookings, and provide customer care in this context.
  • Understand how travel and tourism organisations gain competitive advantage to achieve their aims.
  • Know the principles and benefits of good customer service in travel and tourism organisations.
  • Be able to demonstrate the skills, qualities and behaviours needed for effective performance in the tourism workplace.

    Rationale:
    Within the last decade, tourism has become the world's largest industry. Tourism is a major force in the economy of the world, an activity of global importance and significance. Tourism has demonstrated sustained growth globally and nationally; and is regarded as an agent of world peace, bringing benefits such as the intermingling of people and culture. Tourism also provides economic benefits for a destination. These economic benefits focus around employment, national income, investment and regional development.

    Tourism has entered a new millennium bringing new challenges and changes that need to be well managed within the South African tourism industry. Besides the economic value of tourism, social development of host communities forms a key priority of potential tourism destinations. Tourism can provide opportunities to improve quality of life; and in South Africa it has led to foreign investment, economic development and social upliftment.

    The major challenge for South African tourism managers is achieving sustainable tourism development within the South African context. Tourism managers will have to seek ways and means of reducing tension and friction created by visitors on the environment thus ensuring the conservation of the South African tourism industry for long term viability. Rising to this challenge will bring the following distinct benefits:
  • Economic growth sustained as tourism resources are conserved over a long term; it will provide continuing future use and enjoyment by host community (residents) and visitors.
  • Improving living standards of the host community (residents).

    The South African tourism industry is an industry with unique demands. It is an industry that requires strong management skills to meet these demands. Prospective tourism staff must be in possession of a professional qualification to enter the dynamic tourism industry, and this can be contributed by the Higher Certificate in Tourism Management.

    The rationale for the qualification is to provide an introductory, yet specialised education, training and scholarship in the field and practice of tourism at the undergraduate level. Tourism has become a fiercely competitive business for tourist destinations all over the world; and this competitive advantage is driven by technology, information and innovation.

    As the tourism industry in Africa and in the world has developed in recent years, there is a fundamental need in development and training of service and production employees for employment in hotels, resorts, tourist attractions and related infrastructures.

    The Higher Certificate in Tourism Management prepares learners for the global and African concept. The qualification also equips graduates with the core abilities to succeed in a variety of junior positions within the tourism and travel industry.

    The Higher Certificate also exposes learners to the basic principles of management and marketing. The Higher Certificate enables qualifying learners to exit with the ability to perform certain tourism-related duties. In addition, it enables those learners who wish to further their studies.

    This qualification introduces learners to tourism and provides them with a foundational knowledge and background of the tourism industry. This qualification will assist learners to further their tertiary education in tourism and allow them to develop the necessary skills to perform basic duties under supervision in a tourism field. They will also acquire an understanding of management and marketing principles.

    Therefore, this tourism management qualification will contribute to the full personal development of each student as an individual, the learning area and society at large and to make the students aware of the importance of the following:
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • To participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, regional, national and global tourism communities.
  • Recognising of the relationship between tourism, social, economic, environmental and political contexts.
  • Exploring education, training and career opportunities.
  • Developing entrepreneurial skills and opportunities within the tourism industry. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The qualification may be achieved in whole or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning. Admission has to be in accordance with the institution's RPL policy.

    The RPL Department of the University is responsible for the evaluation of eligible candidates with previous relevant learning experiences. Evidence must be provided in the form of a comprehensive candidate portfolio, which can include international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records. All such evidence will be assessed according to the general principle of assessment described in the notes to assessors. Relevant institutions lecturers will act as assessors for these portfolios.

    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.
  • National Certificate Vocational [NC(V)], Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate Studies.
  • International applicants who are in possession of a qualification that is equivalent to the NSC as determined by SAQA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling, 120 Credits:
  • Financial Accounting 1501, 12 Credits.
  • Management 1A, 12 Credits.
  • English 1504, 12 Credits.
  • Quantitative Methods 1500, 12 Credits.
  • End-user Computing 1501, 12 Credits.
  • Tourism Development1A, 12 Credits.
  • Travel Operations, 12 Credits.
  • Tourism Destinations 1, 12 Credits.
  • Customer Service in Tourism, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Marketing, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate efficiency in the knowledge and application of financial accounting concepts, theories, principles, procedures and elements.
    2. Present and communicate information coherently and reliably using the basic convention and formats of a professional discourse.
    3. Describe the functioning, determinants and motivation of tourism demand to the personal experiences of tourists as consumers.
    4. Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge base of the main sectors of the travel industry, its interrelationships and travel-related associations.
    5. Explain the implications of customer's needs, perceptions and expectations for the service environment.
    6. Identify the components of the marketing environment and explain how the variables in the micro, market and macro environment can influence a business and its operations.
    7. Select and use a range of procedures and techniques to solve routine problems in a familair environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Understand and apply accounting terminology with examples of their use.
  • Explain debits and credits according to the underpinning principles thereof.
  • Explain business transactions with appropriate examples.
  • Show an understanding of the Accounting policy according to the right methods and procedures when recording in the basic accounting equation format.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Communicate information coherently (verbally and in writing) using reliable basic professional discourse.
  • Develop presentation skills using appropriate technologies.
  • Explain how nonverbal communication can impact on human interaction during service delivery.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Elaborate on the elements and indicators of tourism demand.
  • Identify and discuss how determinants influence the tourism demand.
  • Compare characteristics of populations with high and low travel propensities.
  • Explain the role of motivation in tourism.
  • Recognise and apply motivational theories of different tourism researchers.
  • Distinguish between different types of tourists is made, based on their psychographic characteristics.
  • Highlight various factors limiting tourism demand and tourists' opportunity to travel.
  • Illustrate characteristics of the tourist decision-making process.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Describe the main sectors of the travel industry.
  • Explain the interrelationship between the travel sectors.
  • Identify and describe travel related associations.
  • Discuss computerisation in the travel industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Apply Maslow's theory of motivation to tourists' behaviour.
  • Explain the central role of customers' perception in service quality.
  • Identify and discuss customers' generic expectations in terms of service delivery.
  • Describe the motivations which influence a tourist to purchase a particular product, with reference to motivators and determinants.
  • Explain the complexity of tourism decision making.
  • Distinguish between different types of services.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Describe and explain the variables in the micro, market and macro environments in the South African context and their potential impact on business operations.
  • Conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis for an identified business to highlight the key internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the key external opportunities and threats confronting the business.
  • Explain the exchange process in marketing with the aid of practical examples.
  • Discuss the role of the internet in the exchange process.
  • Describe the different marketing activities involved in the transfer of a marketing offer to buyers for a given scenario.
  • Explain the role of the marketing function within the organisational structure and put into context with the rest of the functions in an organisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Classify and record financial transactions of tourism reservations.
  • Effectively apply essential methods, procedures and techniques when making reservations for various tourism services.
  • Interpret terms, definitions and codes of tourism industry.
  • Convert foreign currencies into local currency.
  • Evaluate changes using relevant experience.
  • Interpret codes, terms and definitions used in tourism industry.
  • Explain the procedures to obtain documents and/or issue tickets for the different modes of transportation.
  • Identify the different foreign currency products available in the market.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners will be assessed in the following ways:

    Formative Assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated. The study guides contain self-assessment tasks with feedback. The scheme of work includes a combination of written and multiple choice assignments based on the learning material which students have to submit and for which they earn year marks. Students are given feedback in the form of written comments in the assignments and suggested solutions and mark plans presented in a formal tutorial letter. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and a limited number of outcomes.

    Summative Assessment:
    Examinations of a representative selection of outcomes practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the student's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.

    There is one two-hour examination per module. Unless otherwise stated, a sub minimum of 40% must be obtained in the examination. The mark obtained in the examination contributes 90% to the student's final mark. Supplementary examinations are available for students who obtained at least 45% as a final examination mark.

    All assessment will integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes and applied competence. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification has been compared with similar qualifications offered internationally.

    Similar qualifications are offered by institutions world-wide, where each institution offer aspects as indicated in the modules:
  • Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) (in Ireland) is offering a Higher Certificate in Business in Tourism. The GMIT qualification is on Level 6 and is offered over 2 year period on a full-time basis. This qualification consists of 17 modules, focusing on tourism and heritage. In comparison with the Higher Certificate in Tourism Management, this institution also offers modules related to business management, marketing management, culture and language. However, the Higher Certificate in Tourism Management consists of the primary factors in tourism management as an overarching module to outline the different sectors within the tourism industry, while the GMIT institution includes modules such as guiding, tourism studies and travel trade.

    Waterford Institute of Technology (in Ireland) offers a Higher Certificate in Business (Tourism). This is also a Level 6 qualification and is offered over 2 years on a full-time basis. The qualifications are similar in that both focus on business management, marketing management, and heritage. However this international qualification has a strong focus on some of the European languages, such as French, German and Spanish.

    Conclusion:
    Based on this content analysis it is evident that similar qualifications are offered internationally, however, these international institutions offer the qualification at Level 6 over 2 years on a full-time basis whereas the Higher Certificate in Tourism Management, is offered at Level 5, over a year on a full-time basis or over 2 years part time. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification offers systemic articulation with the following qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate: Travel and Tourism Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Tourism Management at Level 6.
  • Diploma in Travel and Tourism at Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of South Africa 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.