An evaluation of tourism training : a conceptual analysis

Abstract

The research is aimed at achieving a conceptual analysis of tourism training. Training initiatives in the Western Cape province are frequently mentioned by way of example, while the respective roles of tertiary institutions, the future Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the Sector Education and Training Authority for the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority (THETA) are extensively explored in the research. An investigation is undertaken to determine the gaps between the output of the tourism education and training system and the real demand of tourism employers. The research report will delineate the issues that need to be covered in the research study to determine the gaps between the output of the tourism education and training system and the real demand of tourism employers. A pilot study, commissioned by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), reveal gaps in tourism training worldwide, especially in the occupational category of front-line workers. In this category, the most common gaps relate to interpersonal communication skills, languages, computing and elementary knowledge of business techniques. The conclusions of the pilot study are noted and explained by pointing out the need to incorporate the changes in education regarding learnerships, skills programmes and work-based qualifications, as set out by the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority (THETA) for the tourism industry. The research proceed to highlight the role of other major stakeholders, for example, that of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) with the view that tourism must be understood in a global, national and provincial context.