South Africa’s booming tourism industry is one of our major local industries thanks to our ecologically diverse landscapes and the passionate, informed people working behind the scenes to show it off to foreign visitors.
In 2018, the travel and tourism sector contributed about R426-billion to the economy and created 1,5-million jobs. According to an annual review by the World Travel & Tourism Council, that makes South Africa the continent’s largest tourism economy.
Despite those impressive figures, Gary Elmes, CEO of Tourvest Accommodation and Activities, says there is a marked shortage of trained and properly accredited guides in South Africa, and career-development opportunities in the industry have historically been scarce.
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Ultimately, Elmes’s research proves that it isn’t a lack of interest in the industry but a lack of financial support in local communities that poses a problem. It was with that hard-hitting realisation that the Tourvest Guide Academy was born.
According to Elmes, ‘Wherever I go among the Tourvest and aha Hotels & Lodges properties throughout the country, there’s one common denominator – the human potential that surrounds us, everywhere we go. But opportunities are scarce and so many young people in these areas don’t have the financial means to study. The tourism industry is always in need of great new talent and we can now address both needs while providing a springboard for these communities to flourish in the long term.’
Following months of planning, the Tourvest Guide Academy opened late last year, welcoming its first 16 candidates – nine female and seven male recruits – following a rigorous selection process. EcoTraining handles the initial selection process in conjunction with StudyTrust, and their qualified instructors provide full-time training and study support. The young candidates all come from communities surrounding various Tourvest Lodges throughout southern Africa.
Candidates who successfully complete the training programme will get NQF (National Qualifications Framework) Level 2 accreditation, which opens up a number of exciting employment opportunities. They also receive guaranteed employment for a minimum of two years after they have completed their six-month practical training programme.
In addition to the traditional Field Guides Association of Southern Africa course, the programme now includes a six-month foreign-language course, perfect for dealing with foreign visitors. Candidates are currently learning German, and Italian and Mandarin may be added to the curriculum in the not-too-distant future.
The training takes place at a field-guide camp in the aha Makalali Private Game Reserve, where the candidates get board, lodging, uniforms and fully sponsored tuition, all covered by the Tourvest Group.
The Academy aims to sign up 16 new students every six months, for at least the next three years, and will produce qualified guides who are able to make a valuable contribution to South Africa’s booming tourism economy.
Image: Supplied
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