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About this course
Whether you want to kickstart or expand your career in travel and tourism, this course has something valuable for you.
Due to the substantive curriculum design, you will not only gain knowledge of the industry and current and future trends, but you will also develop the personal and professional skills needed to thrive in this diverse industry. This course will equip you with the technical, managerial, personal, and operational skills required for the running of a tourism enterprise or management of a tourism destination.
6 units
6 months at 8 hours/week
- Certificate included
Introduction to Travel and Tourism
TYPE:
Short Course
MODE:
Fully Online
DURATION:
6 months
PACE:
8 h/week
Flexible payment options available
What you will learn about
This course contains 6 units and can be completed in 6 months at the recommended pace of 8 hours per week:
- Unit 1. The Tourism System
- Unit 2. Impact of Tourism
- Unit 3. Introduction to Travel Operations
- Unit 4. Introduction to Travel Geographies – South Africa
- Unit 5. Introduction to Travel Geographies – Rest of the World
- Unit 6. Communication Skills
With our structured approach to learning, you can quickly gain valuable knowledge and skills. All courses include onboarding information, video lessons and multiple assessment opportunities.
Upon completion of the Introduction to Travel and Tourism short course, you should be able to:
- Know the various definitions of tourism and definitions of important tourism terms and concepts, including abbreviations
- Explain the interrelationships between the main types of tourism and the classification of tourism products according to the destination mix
- Summarise the impacts of tourism products on the economy using the supply and demand principles
- Integrate knowledge of principles, theories and trends to assess the significant contributions of tourism development and the impact on the economy
- Explain the socio-cultural, environmental and economic positive – and negative impacts on tourism
- Apply essential steps when preparing and planning for meetings, workplace reports and presentations
- Identify and analyse the main characteristics of sustainable and responsible tourism development in South Africa
- Apply knowledge to explain possible itineraries for each sector of the tourism industry given a specific scenario
- Understand the important aspects and the interrelationship between different types of communication, interpersonal relationships and the barriers of these to function more effectively in the workstation
- Develop specific destination knowledge for South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world
Is this course right for me?
This course is intended for current tourism practitioners who want to improve their knowledge and skills to meet the diverse demands of the tourism sector. Due to its holistic introductory nature, the programme also provides the basis for entry-level scholars who intend to study further in the tourism field.
As such, it offers theoretical insight and practical application for a wide variety of vocations, including practitioners, scholars, managers, and planners in the following domains:
- Government careers in the tourism sectors
- Careers in the parks and recreation sectors
- Travel Consultant in a Travel Agency
- Tour Operator or Tour Guide
- Tourism Administrator
- Guest Relations Officer
- Reservations Agent
- Tourism Information Officer
- Guest House Manager, and many more
This course has been designed in collaboration with a leading professor and subject matter expert to bring you an industry-leading curriculum. On completion of this course, you will be equipped with the technical, managerial, personal, and operational skills required to run a tourism enterprise or manage a tourism destination.
The knowledge and skills that this course provides will enable you to explore exciting career directions in a variety of travel and tourism industries.
Students who complete this short course may have the opportunity to work in a variety of travel and tourism industry areas. Potential roles include:
- Government careers in the tourism sectors
- Careers in the parks and recreation sectors
- Travel Consultant in a Travel Agency
- Tour Operator or Tour Guide
- Tourism Administrator
- Guest Relations Officer
- Reservations Agent,
- Tourism Information Officer
- Guest House Manager, and many more.
When can you start this course?
Our Short Courses are administered in various intakes throughout the year. Enrol for a date that suits you or enquire now if you’d like more information.
Short Course Admissions
- Minimum of Grade 9 (Standard 7)
- At least 18 years of age
- Alternate admission is possible on the basis of Mature Age exemption (23 years and older)
- Ability to read and write in English, which is the language of instruction
- Students should also possess a basic level of digital literacy skills
Our Short Course programmes are offered all year round, making enrolling easy and convenient anytime. Complete our online application form, and await a call from one of our friendly Enrolment Consultants.
At iQ Academy, we offer all our programmes exclusively through online learning. Students must have regular access to a device and a stable internet connection, whether via a mobile device or any other means.
Don’t worry about course materials, as they are all available online and can be downloaded to your smartphone, PC or tablet for offline use. We do not provide printed textbooks. If you prefer printed materials, you can easily download and print them yourself.
Our teaching and learning activities occur 100% online. If you require more information, please feel free to enquire now.
- A PC, Tablet or Smartphone
- Access to a reliable internet connection
- An active email account
- At least 1GB of data per month
Simple pricing, big value
*Terms and deposit are subject to affordability. View our payment options for more information.
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Structured learning
Weekly lesson plans, regular live classes and special webinars.
Boost your career with a short course certificate
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Industry aligned
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Enquire now and an Enrolment Consultant will call you back to answer any questions you have and start your application.
50,000 +
Registered and accredited
Private Higher Education
This Short Course FAQ’s
This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the travel and tourism industry. It covers six units, including tourism systems, travel operations, geographies, communication skills, and sustainable tourism.This course will equip you with the technical, managerial, personal, and operational skills required for the running of a tourism enterprise or management of a tourism destination.
- Technical Skills: Understanding tourism systems, travel operations, and geographies (South Africa and globally), as well as sustainable and responsible tourism practices. Managerial Skills: Knowledge to manage tourism enterprises or destinations effectively, including planning, organizing, and assessing tourism impacts.
- Personal Skills: Enhanced communication, interpersonal relationships, and the ability to overcome barriers in workplace interactions. Operational Skills: Practical abilities to prepare itineraries, plan meetings, write workplace reports, and deliver presentations. These skills collectively prepare students to thrive in various roles within the travel and tourism industry.
This course is valuable to employers because it equips students with industry-relevant knowledge and practical skills essential for the travel and tourism sector. Alumni gain technical, managerial, personal, and operational competencies, enabling them to effectively manage tourism enterprises or destinations. The curriculum emphasises sustainable tourism, communication skills, and global travel knowledge, ensuring students are prepared to address modern industry challenges.
Someone should choose this course because it offers a comprehensive, industry-relevant curriculum designed to equip students with the technical, managerial, personal, and operational skills needed to succeed in the diverse travel and tourism sector. With flexible online learning, no exams, and a certificate upon completion, the course is ideal for both beginners and experienced professionals looking to enhance their knowledge of tourism systems, sustainable practices, travel operations, and global geographies.