Saqa to drive much-needed skills development

ASATA’S roll-out of SA
Qualifications Authority
(Saqa) Professional
Designations has been
welcomed by industry
decision-makers, who
expect it to make a
fundamental difference
to the SA travel agent
industry by upskilling
agents of all ages, thus
making them more
marketable.
Asata says the roll-out
of designations is one
of the most significant
opportunities the
industry has seen in
the past year. “The
process has taken
almost five years,
but the reward is the
overwhelmingly positive
response we have
had from agents and
TMCs who recognise
the importance
of professional
designations for the
sector,” says programme
manager, Jacqui
McKnight.
Marco Tomasicchio,
director of XL
International Tours, says
the designations will fill
the gaps in the currently
loosely designated
industry.
Rachael Penaluna,
business manager of
Sure Maritime Travel,
highlights the need for
direction in the industry.
“We need direction,
as managers, agents
and indeed the public.
If we do not regulate
ourselves, who will? I
certainly do not want our
industry to be regulated
by the government!”
Andrew Stark, md for
MEA of Flight Centre
Travel Group, says
upskilling will help
agents stay relevant
to clients, who are
growing increasingly
knowledgeable about
travel through online
searches. “A strong
person-to-person ethos
coupled with expert
knowledge is difficult
to beat online and will
therefore give clients a
real sense of trust when
parting with their hardearned
money.”