Courses

Tourist Information Officer - SAQA 101865

  • Duration : As per QCTO and SAQA requirements - 18 months
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  • Objective
  • Who Should Attend
  • Possible Careers
  • Duration
  • Purpose
  • Curriculum Structure

Tourist Information Officer helps and guides travellers to make the correct accommodation and tour choices.

One of the key performance arrears of this career is to develop and promote tourism in order to attract visitors and produce significant economic benefits for the region.

A Tourism Information Officer can work both in the private and public sectors and the tourism industry covers a broad scope of varied roles.

The ALTASA Programme will teach you all about travel documentation, trip planning, basic geography, customer care and basic computer skills that will be required in this position in order to be effective in the workplace.
This programme is ideally suited for people who
  • Want to pursue a career in the Tourism industry
  • Enjoy working with people
  • Have good interpersonal, communication and customer service skills
  • Have good organisational skills
  • Comfortable working with computers
  • Geographical knowledge
  • Event Co-ordinator
  • Tourism Consultant
  • Hotel Front Office Attendant
  • Museum Attendant
  • Tour Guide
  • Airport and Bus Services Consultant

Note that some of the above might require registration with certain bodies of control and their assessments are done through other organisations.

An average duration of 18 months including practical and workplace modules is suggested.

The duration of this course depends on the Learner’s abilities and class attendance.

A grade 12 or other NQF 4 that is accepted by SAQA is not advisable but necessary, one needs an NQF 4.

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.

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:
  • 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.

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

  • Knowledge Modules
  • Practical Skill Modules
  • Work Experience Modules
  • Entry Requirements
  • Exit Level Outcomes
  • Associated Assessment Criteria
  • Integrated Assessment
  • Qualification Description
  • Conclusion
Knowledge Modules
  • South Africa as a travel destination
  • Selling products
  • Office protocol, deportment and etiquette
  • Local tourism destinations, attractions and itinerary planning
  • Introduction to Tourism
  • Basic business calculations
  • End User Computing
  • Business communication and customer services
  • Social media and digital Literacy
  • Reception services
  • Map work and itineraries
  • Introductory Project Management
  • Exhibition and special Events
  • Ready for work standards
  • Develop and update tourism industry knowledge
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules : 112
Practical Skill Modules
  • Address protocol requirements
  • Plan and develop culturally appropriate tourism operation
  • Prepare, install and dismantle exhibition elements
  • Source and provide destination information and an itinerary for a customer
  • Manage, and assist in the administration and clerical support of office resources to facilitate the smooth and effective procurement of physical resources and services within the unit
  • Prepare quotations
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules : 64
Work Experience Modules
  • Research, design and sell local travel and tourism-related packages, products and services
  • Apply ready for work standards to everyday work activities
  • Handle customer and clients’ queries and liaison in a Travel Information Centre
  • Operate an online information system for tourism related information
  • Processing reservations and issuing documentation
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules : 104
Entry Requirements
NQF : Level 4
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.
Associated Assessment Criteria
  • Associated Assessment Criteria for

    Exit Level Outcome

    Resources used to research, locate and access destination information (Range: includes but not limited to: brochures, travel pamphlets, guides and atlas). The destination is selected and recommendations are made, based on the type of traveller/tourists and his/her interests. The destination recommended takes into account the date of travel with respect to climate, activities etc.

  • Associated Assessment Criteria for

    Exit Level Outcome

    Customer rapport is built and questions are asked to determine specific needs.Tourists' needs are established. Destination and activities are determined. Destination and activities are recommended based on the established needs of the tourists. A tour package is compiled which advises the tourists of the possible travel arrangements and sites to visits.

  • Associated Assessment Criteria for

    Exit Level Outcome

    Customer relationships are built with sensitivity to diverse needs. A detailed, sequenced and logical itinerary is communicated to the client. The quote of estimate costs is communicated and presented for customer approval. The rules and regulations as well as terms and conditions that apply to a specific reservation are interpreted and communicated to the customer. Customers understanding is verified through questioning techniques.

  • Associated Assessment Criteria for

    Exit Level Outcome

    Coordination and support office services and maintenance of information management are explained and applied to enhance the effective operations at the office.

  • Associated Assessment Criteria for

    Exit Level Outcome

    Setting up of exhibitions and special event is explained.Planning,coordinating and assisting in the administration based on the needs are established.

Integrated Assessment
  • Integrated Formative Assessment

    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

  • Integrated Summative Assessment

    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria.

Qualification Description

  • The purpose is to provide candidates with the necessary underpinning knowledge and practical skills required to be employed in the tourism industry. A student who has obtained this qualification will be capable of combining a range of skills in Tourism and knowledge of tourism issues to contribute positively towards incoming tourists. The programme aims at increasing awareness of what products are available in the various regions and how to ensure that tourists' experiences are unique and memorable.

  • Holders of this qualification are able to analyse the impact of the interrelationship and interdependence between the sectors and sub-sectors of the tourism industry regarding service delivery, can discuss the promotion of domestic tourism and the benefits of tourism, and suggest ways to improve accessibility to all. Finally, candidates can report on the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes required to function successfully in the tourism industry.

  • The learning units include Computer studies, Business Communication and customer service, Local Tourism destinations and presentation of Tourism Products and Services which are some of the similar units covered in the content modules in Tourist Information Officer qualification.

  • The qualifications' purpose is to provide the travel industry with individuals who can professionally support customers with travel enquiries, information and booking requirements, and through their skills and knowledge increase the contribution of the travel industry to the economy.

  • The qualification is also geared towards equipping learners with knowledge and skills required to implement and deliver a wide range of customers, product advice, and sales in a travel industry context. The qualification is intended for individuals who can work as senior consultants in retail or wholesale travel related businesses. Some of the unit standards covered in the qualification compare with the South African occupational qualification as they include among others the following: Applying appropriate communication, literacy, numeracy, risk management, analytical and problem solving skills to resolve complex customer service enquiries, and to build and maintain effective networks and client relationships, in order to grow a sustainable business.

Conclusion

  • The Tourist Information Officer qualification compares well with the international countries in terms of learning areas and level of complexity.

    Assessment Quality Partner Information

    Name of body: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations

Covid-19 Protocols

  • The School Management Team  have put measures in place for hygiene control and social distancing prior to the return of staff and learners.
  • Ensure that the necessary personal protective equipment items (e.g. face masks) are in place and adopt a no mask no entry policy as required by law.
  • Provide the necessary support to staff members and learners who show signs of illness or are on sick leave.
  • Keep parents informed of the plans to be implemented, as well as and any changes to these plans.
  • Safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of learners, teachers and support staff.
  • Monitor social distancing protocols so as to provide safe and healthy teaching and learning environments.
  • Make logistical arrangements for the orientation sessions.