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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Tourism Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96993  Diploma in Tourism Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 11 - Services  Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Diploma in Tourism Management is to equip learners to be competent in a variety of technical, managerial, personal and operational skills in the running of a tourism enterprise. The successful student will have developed a sound foundation for progression into entry level and leadership positions, and to exploit entrepreneurial opportunities.

Rationale:
The South African tourism industry shows continued growth with a clear demand for well- qualified staff within the corporate and entrepreneurial sector. There was therefore a need for a qualification to take advantage of the employment opportunities and to ensure that learners are equipped and competent in consistently using a variety of technical, managerial and personal skills and strategies in the everyday running of a tourism enterprise. University lecturers, industry players (e.g. Tour Operators, travel agents, events co-ordinators, airlines, professional bodies) and external academic peers have played a role in programme design. Guest lecturers from industry to gain real life experiences, enable successful learners to enter a number of career paths and to apply their learning to particular employment contexts from the outset. Guest lecturers from industry are also used to communicate the module specific application within the tourism environment. Tourism is not a single industry but rather a multi-faceted industry comprising of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, such are public sector, private sector, private-public partnerships, communities, and tourists. Tourism industry comprises of various sectors and sub-sectors such as the accommodation section, transportation sector, services and facilities sector and tourist attraction sector. Due to a broad spectrum of tourism stakeholders, learners who complete this qualification can be employed in the National Department of Tourism (NDT), Provincial departments of tourism, as municipal tourism managers, as developers and/or managers and/or tour guides at tourist attractions ranging from nature based to cultural heritage attractions. Moreover, graduates can also be employed by travel agencies, tour operators, and event companies. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

RPL takes place in accordance with the Faculty Rules and Regulations.

In terms of admission to the qualification, prior learning is recognised as follows:
Learners who have extensive and appropriate work experience in a specific field in the tourism sector may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. Credits towards, or a complete module, may be awarded to the learner using RPL. Learners who do not meet the criteria for admission may be granted access to the qualification through RPL.

Entry Requirement:
Access to the Qualification:
The qualification is open to any learner in possession of a:
National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Diploma Studies.
Or
A relevant Further Education and Training Certificate.
Or
National Certificate (Vocational), at NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma Studies. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
Modules at Level 5:
  • Communication 1A, 8 Credits.
  • Communication 1B, 8 Credits.
  • Marketing 1A, 16 Credits.
  • Marketing 1B, 16 Credits.
  • Culture in tourism 1A, 8 Credits.
  • Cultural attractions development 1, 8 Credits.
  • Travel and tourism management 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Travel and tourism management 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Tourism system 1, 12 Credits.
  • Impact of tourism, 12 Credits.
  • Travel operations 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Destinations: Africa and Indian ocean islands, 8 Credits.
  • Marketing 2A, 16 Credits.
  • End-user computing 1A, 8 Credits.
  • Marketing for tourism 2B, 16 Credits.
  • Management and human resources, 16 Credits.
  • Financial management component, 16 Credits.
  • Tourism information management 1B, 16 Credits.
  • Tourism planning 2, 12 Credits.
  • Sustainable and responsible tourism, 12 Credits.
  • International fare calculation 2, 12 Credits.
  • Destinations: Americas and Europe, 12 Credits.
  • Travel and tourism management 3A, 10 Credits.
  • Travel and tourism management 3B, 10 Credits.

    Modules at Level 6:
  • Work integrated learning 3, 60 Credits.
  • Destination development 3A, 10 Credits.
  • Research for tourism development 3B, 10 Credits.
  • International fare calculation 3, 12 Credits.
  • Destinations: middle and far east, 8 Credits.

    Elective Modules at Level 5:
  • Cultural and heritage in tourism, 8 Credits.
  • Community based cultural tourism 2B, 8 Credits.
  • Business tourism 1, 8 Credits.
  • Event management 1, 8 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Perform the functions required of a Tourism Manager directed at developing and promoting tourism in niche markets and changing environments.
    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.
    4. Perform the necessary technical and operational tasks in a tourism enterprise. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify opportunities to grow their own business in the tourism industry.
  • Develop business plans for tourism enterprises correctly.
  • Market tourism products, attractions and South Africa as a tourism correctly; and destination.
  • Plan, organize and execute an event correctly.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify needs of tourists and learn how to satisfy those needs correctly.
  • Make appropriate recommendations to address management needs of the industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Attend to client needs and make bookings/reservations accurately.
  • Plan and execute an appropriate tourism packages by providing a professional service in the industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Develop a logistics plan which will demonstrate knowledge of the logistics for a tourism enterprise.
  • Develop effective annual stock and logistic objectives, policies, strategies, action plans and a logistics budget.
  • Design and implement an effective technical control system.
  • Compile appropriate policies to ensure the successful running of a tourism enterprise.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This Diploma uses a variety of assessment methods during the semester, the marks achieved are calculated to a percentage and the learner has to achieve a minimum of forty percent to gain entrance to the examination. This counts 50% towards the final mark. A final pass mark of 50% has to be achieved in order to pass the module. Various assessment tasks are used for the various modules. Each of these is stipulated in the learning guide for each module. The assessment tasks range from individual and group written assignments, presentations, semester tests and examinations. Assessment practices in all modules are effective and reliable in measuring and recording learner performance of learning outcomes. Learning activities and assessments are aligned with learning outcomes at a modular level. Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and their link are communicated to learners. A range of appropriate and effective assessment tasks are provided.

    For formative assessments and summative assessments at first and second year level, internal moderators are used while exit level summative assessment requires external moderators. Subject specialists within the STH are used to conduct the internal moderation and all exit level summative assessments are externally moderated. Moderators are required to be experts in their field and experienced assessors with knowledge of the subject matter, in whom other assessors have confidence and who are experienced moderators or have undergone training in moderation. These moderators should also have an equal or higher level qualification than the qualification being moderated. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Diploma (Tourism Management) is one of three in Southern Africa and one of 57 in the world that has United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) TedQual accreditation. Successful students will be able enter the job market in any tourism institution in South Africa, or in international units overseas. There has been many international exchanges to compare our programme with developed countries. For example, the Director of the school and the two departmental Head of Departments visited some of the well know academic international institutions in the United States offering both Tourism and Hospitality programmes in the United States. At Penn State University it was found that our tourism programme offered sustainable tourism modules which was not strongly addressed at Penn State. Our tourism offering was therefore found to be of a good international standing. There was however a strong need to integrate some of the tourism offerings with that of hospitality within the school. For example, it was found that for New York University, the Tisch Center their hospitality and tourism programs were run as parallel structures, with no area dominating the other. Lecturers within the department therefore lecture across areas. Johnson and Wales University also had overlapping links between tourism and hospitality. For example, the International Hotel and Tourism Management aims to expose students through a broad nature of the hospitality and tourism industries on a global scale. Thus for the STH, there is a need for better alignment between the hospitality and tourism arenas. There should be an exploration of whether running tourism and hospitality as parallel structures would be beneficial to STH and the tourism qualifications on offer. Any advisory committee for tourism should include hospitality stakeholders to also inform the curriculum. Industry partners should also be encouraged to engage more frequently in guest lectureships to enhance/facilitate learning in the real world, with appropriate students matched with appropriate industry partners. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The University of Johannesburg provides an articulation pathway for learners who complete their Diploma (Tourism Management) and wish to study further. Currently students completing the Diploma can articulate into a Bachelor of Technology qualification. The implementation of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) implies that students completing the Diploma may in future advance into an Advanced Diploma and then Postgraduate Diploma.
    This qualification only offers specific vertical articulation opportunities with qualifications offered by the North West University. It is:

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts: Tourism Development (ID: 80360), Level 7.

    This qualification also offers systemic articulation opportunities with qualifications offered by other institutions provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Hospitality Management, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Applied Tourism Management. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 Johannesburg 


    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.