Asata on the road to Saqa accreditation

ASATA is making headway
to be recognised by the SA
Qualifications Authority (Saqa)
as a Professional Body, which
will allow it to accredit travel
agents with Professional
Designations.
Jacqui McKnight, programme
manager of Asata, says the
evaluation and application
process may take a few
months but that a high-level
delegation recently made a site
visit and the feedback was very
positive.
Initially, Asata will aim to offer
the basic level accreditation,
the Travel Practitioner. Once
Asata is Saqa approved, it will
work closely with a designation
committee and neutral industry
experts to award agents with
this designation.
Asata and Saqa will set
the criteria to qualify for a
Professional Designation.
Agents will need a minimum
qualification, proven
competencies, recognition
of prior learning, continuous
professional development and
workplace experience. Asata
will also consider how long an
agent has been in the industry.
Jacqui says Asata will also
apply to be able to award
designations such as Travel
Professional and Certified
Travel Professional.
In due course, Asata will
announce the process for the
application and certification
of designations. Meantime, it
will use its online Professional
Programme to gather details on
agents who wish to apply.