SA NCS:Tourism
Introducing the Subject
DEFINITION
The subject Tourism involves the study of why people travel and how to meet their needs and expectations. It
focuses on the tourism industry as an interrelated, broad and dynamic economic sector. The subject addresses
tourism geography, creates an awareness of the role played by South Africa in the international tourism
industry, and investigates and evaluates the value of tourism to a country. The subject emphasises the
responsibility of all citizens to contribute towards responsible and sustainable tourism practices and socio-
economic growth. The value and importance of appropriate and clear communication, a respect for diversity,
and the provision of quality service are highlighted.
PURPOSE
Tourism will empower learners to develop an understanding of the related services in the tourism industry, the
interdependence of sectors and sub-sectors, and the benefit tourism brings to the South African economy.
The study of Tourism aims to redress historical imbalances, as the majority of the population was previously
excluded from tourism from both an ownership and consumption point of view. Tourism aims to address these
imbalances by encouraging learners to explore entrepreneurial and job opportunities and to become responsible
consumers of the tourism product and related services.
The knowledge, skills, values and attitudes gained in this subject will develop an appreciation of the heritage,
cultural and other diversities of South Africa, thereby instilling national pride.
This subject will enable learners to:
- acquire the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes necessary to communicate effectively with customers, identify needs and provide the required service to ensure customer satisfaction;
- gain access to further learning in the chosen field/sector by accessing information on career opportunities in the tourism field;
- use science and technology effectively when communicating and accessing information;
- work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community through the communication and interpersonal skills applied in customer care and service delivery;
- organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively by identifying gaps in tourism development and making recommendations for improvement and growth; and
- collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate tourism information.
SCOPE
The principle guiding the subject Tourism is an innovative, interactive and holistic approach that focuses on:
- tourism as an interrelated system;
- responsible and sustainable tourism;
- tourism geography, attractions and travel trends; and
- customer care and communication.
These are discussed below.
Tourism as an interrelated system
Learners are introduced to the broad sectors of the tourism industry including hospitality, travel, gaming,
leisure, conservation, sport and recreation, as well as the sub-sectors within these sectors. The industry is
contextualised as a broad economic sector making a contribution towards job creation and the country's Gross
Domestic Product (GDP).
Learners examine the interrelatedness and interdependence of role players in the tourism distribution channel
(suppliers, intermediaries and consumers), support services, marketing agencies, industry associations, auxiliary
services, policy makers, the attraction sector, and tourists.
Learners explore the potential role that they could play within the tourism industry by investigating careers and
entrepreneurial opportunities, which enables them to make an informed career choice.
Responsible and sustainable tourism
Learners are introduced to the concept of resource management and how it impacts on sustainable and
responsible tourism. They develop an appreciation of the interdependent relationship between the environment,
the community and the tourism economy. This includes an evaluation of the role that eco-tourism, culture and
heritage play in ensuring responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
Tourism geography, attractions and travel trends
Tourism geography includes the knowledge of countries, regions, climate, major cities and gateways, famous
icons, monuments, building structures, and geographical features such as rivers, seas, mountains, deserts and
time zones. In addition, learners apply acquired skills to interpret maps, distance tables, transport timetables
and schedules in order to develop a basic tour plan.
Some of the documents needed when travelling from one country to another are examined, and learners gain a
basic understanding of foreign currency and exchange rates. In addition, health and safety issues are
investigated from a tourism perspective.
Learners investigate major global events and affairs that impact on tourism. They interpret statistics to
determine current tourism trends and discuss the marketing of South Africa as a tourist destination.
Customer care and communication
Learners explore the importance of effective communication, customer care, service excellence and the role
of technology when interacting with customers and suppliers from diverse backgrounds in the service
industry.
EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER LINKS
The subject Tourism links with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes provided in the General Education
and Training band in the following areas:
- Technology  through the understanding of a variety of technologies used in communicating and accessing information in the tourism industry.
- Social Sciences  through the application of geographical skills to identify features and tourist attractions. The history of areas, together with their cultural diversity and heritage, lays the foundation for conceptualisation in the tourism field.
- Natural Sciences  in the area of eco-tourism, learners explore the links of tourism to local regions and other environmental features.
- Arts and Culture  through developing self-confidence in promoting the unique features present in South Africa and presenting oneself and one's viewpoint in a variety of situations.
- Life Orientation  issues of human relations, self-introspection and sensitivity towards others are applied to develop service excellence.
- Language  this Learning Area underpins the effectiveness of communication between people, sectors, sub-sectors and role players in the tourism industry.
- Mathematics  learners apply basic mathematical skills in the conversion of currencies, working with distances and tourism statistics.
- Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) Â tourism is one of the country's major income-generating industries. In Tourism, learners apply the entrepreneurship and marketing skills gained in EMS.
The knowledge, skills, values and attitudes gained in this subject will serve as a starting point to prepare the
learner for progression into Higher Education studies in the travel, tourism, tourism development, marketing,
tourism management and related fields. The subject also exposes learners to possible entrepreneurial
opportunities and the world of work.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning Outcome 1: Tourism as an Interrelated System
The learner is able to evaluate the tourism industry as an interrelated system.
The focus of this Learning Outcome is to provide learners with an understanding and knowledge of the impact
of the interdependence among the various sectors, sub-sectors and role-players in the tourism industry. The
knowledge, skills, values and attitudes gained will provide learners with an understanding of the potential role
they could play in the tourism industry, even if not directly involved in it, and/or assist them to make an
informed career choice.
Grade 10
By the end of Grade 10 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
explain the core concepts of tourism, tourist sectors and sub-sectors, and the role-players in the tourism
industry, as well as the reasons people travel. Learners can match different types of tourists with the services
and products provided by the sectors and sub-sectors, and can source information on job and career
opportunities to investigate their potential role in the industry.
Grade 11
By the end of Grade 11 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
analyse the impact of the interrelationship and interdependence between the sectors and sub-sectors of the
tourism industry regarding service delivery. Learners are able to discuss the promotion of domestic tourism and
the benefits of tourism, and suggest ways to improve accessibility to all South Africans. Finally, learners can
report on the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes required to function successfully in the tourism
industry.
Grade 12
By the end of Grade 12 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
report on the impact of service excellence on economic growth and how government strategy redresses past
imbalances in tourism participation. Learners can investigate and report on working conditions, codes of
conduct, and job and entrepreneurial opportunities in the tourism industry.
Learning Outcome 2: Responsible and Sustainable Tourism
The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance and benefit of responsible and sustainable tourism on social, economic and environmental growth.
This Learning Outcome has been designed to develop knowledge, skills, values and attitudes of learners
towards the environment in which they live, both socially and ecologically, and the existing infrastructure so as
to explore the tourism potential within their communities. Focusing learners' attention on the country's icons,
symbols and heritage instils national pride. Learners also explore entrepreneurial opportunities, utilising
indigenous knowledge where applicable.
Grade 10
By the end of Grade 10 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
explain core concepts related to sustainable tourism, heritage and heritage sites, and can investigate the criteria
for the declaration of world heritage sites. They can report on the community's role in protecting the
environment.
Grade 11
By the end of Grade 11 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
evaluate environmental components, available infrastructure and heritage sites in the local community. They
can independently plan to upgrade and maintain the local environment.
Grade 12
By the end of Grade 12 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
evaluate factors that impact on responsible and sustainable tourism and report on global strategies to protect the
environment. Learners can investigate ways of marketing tourism products, including cultural and other
diversities and heritage.
Learning Outcome 3: Tourism Geography, Attractions and Travel Trends
The learner is able to source, analyse and critically evaluate information on physical features, attractions, travel trends and the impact that events/occurrences have on a destination.
This Learning Outcome enables learners to analyse and critically evaluate geographical information from a
variety of sources to locate destinations, determine the reasons why tourists choose particular destinations, and
provide advice to tourists to assist them to meet their needs. Learners will interpret statistics related to travel
trends and explore the impact of major tourism events, world affairs and unforeseen occurrences on travel
trends. They will understand that tourists visiting an area contribute directly to economic growth and job
creation, thus contributing towards community improvement.
Grade 10
By the end of Grade 10 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
apply map-reading skills within a tourism context. They can analyse and interpret tourism data independently,
and investigate the role South Africa plays in promoting tourism to the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) region, as well as explain the value of foreign exchange and the concepts `global event',
`political situation' and `unforeseen circumstances'.
Grade 11
By the end of Grade 11 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
explore the reasons why tourists visit a destination considering icons, attractions, activities, accessibility and
infrastructure. Learners can interpret transport timetables and schedules, and make recommendations to market
a region. They can explain the buying power of the South African rand in relation to other currencies, and
explore and analyse the benefits of hosting a global event.
Grade 12
By the end of Grade 12 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
demonstrate an understanding of time zones, daylight saving time, currency conversions, health and safety, and
customs requirements. They can use the learning gained in Grades 10 and 11 to develop a tour plan, and
discuss the role of SA Tourism as a marketing body. Learners can research and evaluate the impact of current
affairs and political situations on tourism.
Learning Outcome 4: Customer Care and Communication
The learner is able to apply effective communication skills to demonstrate professional conduct, deliver service excellence and function as a member of a team.
The primary focus of this Learning Outcome is to enable learners to understand and apply communication and
problem-solving skills to facilitate excellent service delivery. Learners will gain knowledge of the importance
of co-operation and function as members of a team.
Grade 10
By the end of Grade 10 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
explore the importance of teamwork and the provision of quality service to achieve goals. They can explain the
impact of perception on business profitability, and discuss equipment and technology as a means of business
communication.
Grade 11
By the end of Grade 11 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
demonstrate ways of interacting in a culturally diverse environment. They can select the most appropriate
methods of communication for the context, purpose and audience, and describe clearly the correct procedures
when dealing with complaints. Learners can work in a team or independently and present a professional image
at all times.
Grade 12
By the end of Grade 12 learners who have achieved the minimum competences for this Learning Outcome can
explain the needs of tourists from different cultural backgrounds, and apply technology as a means of
communication. They can describe alternate methods to obtain customer feedback, and analyse and present the
findings. Learners can explain how teamwork impacts on quality service provision and review their own
participation in a team against set criteria.
ACRONYMS
AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
ASATA - Association of South African Travel Agents
CASS - Continuous Assessment
DO - Developmental Outcome
EMS - Economic and Management Sciences
FET - Further Education and Training
GDP - Gross Domestic Product
GET - General Education and Training
GMT - Greenwich Mean Time
GSA - GSA Travel Marketing Magazine (previously known as the GSA Travel Agents' Sales Guide)
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
IKS - Indigenous Knowledge Systems
NCS - National Curriculum Statement
NQF - National Qualifications Framework
OBE - Outcomes-Based Education
SADC - Southern African Development Community
SAQA - South African Qualifications Framework
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
UTC - Universal Time Co-ordinate (same as Greenwich Mean Time)
WHO - World Health Organisation
WTO - World Tourism Organisation
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