An inbound tour operating course should be added to the Tourism Studies curriculum, according to industry members who attended a recent workshop on education. The sector added that this gap could have been identified had researchers engaged with industry beforehand.
Industry urged Umalusi – the organisation responsible for qualifications in general and further education and training – to consult with industry before conducting research into curriculum studies. Umalusi presented its findings on Friday at a Tourism Curriculum Evaluation Workshop in partnership with the Department of Tourism.
The TBCSA and a representative from Tourvest highlighted the gap in research conducted by Umalusi that did not speak to the needs of the inbound tour operating business. The Tourvest representative suggested that industry should have been consulted for input on where the curriculum could improve. A representative from Umalusi noted the concern and highlighted the limited timeframes for research when they had initially approached stakeholders. Some members of the industry were approached to form part of the curriculum evaluation research group, together with members of Umalusi, for the subjects of Consumer Studies, Tourism and Hospitality.
Other concerns raised by industry included the need to market tourism as a career of choice for young people rather ‘just a job’. “We need to make the subject more sexy,” said Carol-Anne Cairns from Skills Solutions.
More support for teachers, the perception of subjects, and a stronger focus on practical learning were three of the recommendations presented by Umalusi in its research findings.
Cairns, Shannon Doolings from Umalusi, and Beverley Muller, from Tsogo Sun, who formed part of the research groups, highlighted the need for improved teacher development when presenting their findings. Cairns and Muller noted that often those tasked with teaching Tourism and Hospitality had no real experience or knowledge of the industry and recommended that the subjects should be incorporated into the teachers’ training.
The number of students studying these subjects in high school also poses a problem, especially when the communities they come from cannot support their learning. Cairns and Muller said the subject was often perceived by students as being an ‘easy’ subject, or ‘a subject to complete their studies’. This became particularly problematic when the learners came from communities that had little to no tourism infrastructure, added Cairns. Learners are unable to find work, and their practical skills development is not nurtured to the extent that it should be. “Perhaps the offering of these subjects needs to be revisited in these areas,” said Cairns.
Muller said schools that did not have the resources needed for practical tasks, such as food preparation, should not offer Hospitality as a subject. Myron Peters, Chief Director at the Department of Tourism, said where practical experience was needed, the department would need to develop a process where students were met with readiness by a hotel or related tourism business.
The Department of Tourism said they would take note of the curriculum’s shortcomings. Peters said the evaluation workshop served merely as a national consultative and that recommendations would be taken back to the department where they would work to move the project “vigorously forward”.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa, said, as the government highlighted tourism as a key growth sector there should not be any barriers for it to grow. She said the department was working to open up the sector more.
Xasa commended the team and role players but urged that the research be taken further. “We want universities to talk to us now.”
