Article 2023

An Audit of Tourism and Hospitality-related Qualifications in Universities of Technology in South Africa

African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
Journal · Vol. 12 · Issue 3 · pp. 1058-1070
Abstract

A website audit of tourism and hospitality qualifications in Universities of Technology in South Africa is undertaken to examine the extent and nature of tourism and hospitality-related training, including focusing on practical skills and work integrated learning (WIL) components, and integration of research training. The audit of training qualifications/programmes at the six Universities of Technology (UoTs) in South Africa was undertaken during 2021 and information extracted was analysed thematically. The UoTs offer 60 tourism and hospitality qualifications, ranging from higher certificates to doctoral degrees, with more than 450 modules encompassing themes linked to tourism generally, hospitality management, and specific types of tourism. The UoTs had WIL in some of the qualifications and five had research training. The higher education sector needs to be responsive to the diverse and changing needs and demands of the tourism and hospitality sector, including professional training. Recommendations include undertaking research on student enrolment and graduate trends, and revising curricula and types of training. This study complements existing knowledge on skills and training in this field, given limited research in this area. The focus on UoTs is valuable since these institutions focus on practical/technological skills that align with the tourism sector’s needs. © (2023) All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

tourism South Africa Qualifications hospitality Universities of Technology (UoTs)

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
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