Occupational Certificate: Tourist Information Officer

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION:

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Tourist Information Officer.

This learner will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in a visitor information centre in popular tourist destinations throughout South Africa. The learner will assist with matters such as booking accommodation, arranging local tours and recommending restaurants and popular entertainment activities as well as providing travel, hospitality and accommodation information to tourists, distribute the correct brochures and sell souvenirs and prepare displays for the centre.

They will be able to promote and develop local tourism, and assess tourist opportunities for local communities. This learner will have good organisational skills combined with computer and administrative skills to make online reservations and also use a Central Reservation System (CRS). The learner will also be able to research and advise clients on specific domestic travel requests in order to compile an itinerary according to a set budget.

SKILLS RATIONALE:

This qualification is a response to current legislation that states: Programmes offered to meet industry needs, including those supporting apprenticeships and N-Courses, are reviewed, updated and made available to and accessed by employers.

The Travel and Tourism industry in South Africa is a growing industry that needs to provide the relevant skills and competencies to address the continuous growth in the tourism market. The growth in the industry is amongst others, resultant from South Africa’s involvement in international business, conferencing, sports and other events as well as national and international accessing of South Africa as a tourism destination of choice, in particular for exposure to and experiencing its rich and diverse natural and cultural resources.

Local and international tourists access and utilise products and services offered by the tourism industry. Travel serves as a facilitator to open access to trade and other opportunities to organisations that do business with both national and international organisations and this, in turn, creates opportunities for individuals in terms of both direct and indirect job opportunities and entrepreneurship.

This qualification is designed to provide learners with skills which will enable them to work in a visitor information centre in popular tourist destinations throughout South Africa. In larger visitor centres, they may use online booking services to arrange travel, tours and accommodation for visitors. The Tourist Information Officer will generally need to be very familiar with the local area and its attractions.

Tourist Information Officers use brochures, posters and guidebooks, as well as their own personal experiences, to make recommendations and answer tourists’ questions. Entry into this occupation may be improved by obtaining an occupational qualification.

The content of the qualification lays a foundation for learning and career progression that will enable the learner to enter other related qualifications such as Travel Consultant or grow towards more senior/managerial positions within the travel industry or develop entrepreneurial skills.

A QUALIFIED LEARNER WILL BE ABLE TO:

A qualified learner will be able to:

• Compare attractions and destinations using knowledge of South Africa to advise tourists, visitors and local residents according to their needs.
• Collate information to effectively sell tourism products and services.
• Communicate effectively using appropriate methods to maintain effective customer relations according to organizational standards and customer service of internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate and support office services and maintain information management systems to enhance the effective operations of the office.
• Plan, co-ordinate and assist in the administration and setting up of exhibitions and special events.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

• Level 4 with Communication.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES:

• Compare attractions and destinations using knowledge of South Africa to advise tourists, visitors and local residents according to their needs.
• Collate information to effectively sell tourism products and services.
• Communicate effectively using appropriate methods to maintain effective customer relations according to organizational standards and customer service of internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate and support office services and maintain information management systems to enhance the effective operations of the office.
• Plan, co-ordinate and assist in the administration and setting up of exhibitions and special events.