Tourism and Travel SETA , CATHSSETA
To get a overview of how important tourism is for South Africa, we’ve written this article. We also try to encourage the South African youths to apply for SETA bursaries.
The tourism and travel sub-sector makes a substantial contribution to the South African economy and in 2010 it directly contributed R67billion (3%) to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) creating 599 412 direct jobs. It covers 13 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes consists of inbound and outbound tour operators, safaris and sightseeing bus tours and trip operators, inbound international flights, travel agencies, event and conference management, tourist information centre, car hire and tourism authorities as well as tourist guides including adventure, mountain and river guides.
Activities of these sectors are driven by a Chamber Committee established in terms of the CATHSSETA Constitution and is made up of key industry players such as government, labour organisations, NGO’s and employers.
The duties of the Chamber Committee are as follows:
- Provide expert advice and strategic leadership,
- Provide guidance regarding skills development,
- Assist with the identification of strategic projects,
- Assist with appropriate recognition of the sub-sector’s education and training needs
Careers in the Sector
The Tourism and Travel sector is extremely labour intensive and is a major source of employment, requiring various degrees of skill and provides women, youth and migrant employees with relatively easy access into the workforce. The industry is service oriented requiring professionals to know their product offerings to ensure service excellence.
A career in Tourism and Travel is demanding and requires people with good communication and listening skills, dedication to quality and good service, team player, good organisational skills, attention to detail and a preparedness to work under pressure. Competitiveness and productivity in the industry depend on skill levels, professionalism, commitment, passion, loyalty and soft skills of workers.
Source: www.cathsseta.org.za/
Work opportunities may be found in the airline industry, car rental, cruise ships, events management, government tourism departments, tourism information bureau and travel agencies.
These are some of the career options within the sector:
- Public Sector – Government Tourism Official, Tourism Development Coordinator, Tourism Information Officer
- Travel Agency – Retail Consultant and Travel Agents, Wholesale Travel-tour operator
- Events and Convention Management Companies – Event Coordinator and Event Manager
- Airline – Flight Attendants, Cabin Crew, Ground staff and airport personnel
- Vehicle Rental – Car Hire Consultant and Sales Representatives
CATHSSETA Skills Development initiatives
CATHSSETA provides various skills development initiatives for both unemployed and employed in the tourism and travel sector.
The below links will provide you with a detailed list of available training opportunities and application period in the following:
- Learnerships
- Work integrated learning (Internships and experiential learning)
- Skills Programmes
- Bursaries