Home
FacebookSearchMenu
  • Subscribe (free)
  • Subscribe (free)
  • News
  • Features
  • TravelInfo
  • Columns
  • Community
  • Sponsored
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send Us News

Share

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

Tourism career hopes need to be reignited

23 Jul 2020 - by Erin Cusack
University of Johannesburg School of Hospitality and Tourism students are exposed work experience at a university event. 
Comments | 0

To attract new entrants to the tourism and hospitality sector, the approach to higher education needs to change to ensure ongoing trust in the sector and fuel the hope that it’s still a viable career.

This was highlighted during a webinar hosted by the University of Johannesburg’s School of Tourism and Hospitality (UJSTH).

“Trust has been dented and we have some bruised young people who have anticipated an exciting career in the industry,” said Professor of Tourism Employment from the University of Strathclyde, Tom Baum. Having worked directly with young people pursuing careers in tourism and hospitality, he pointed out that learners needed to be reassured that there would be jobs available at the end of their studies.

The tourism sector has faced huge job losses as a result of COVID-19. “Particularly, part-time workers and any students that companies may have had on their books, who would have been the first people to bear the brunt of the job losses,” said coo of City Lodge Hotel Group, Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo.

Work integrated learning co-ordinator at UJSTH, Tracy Daniels, touched on the way work-integrated learning modules had been reshaped to suit the strange learning circumstances of the 2020 academic year.

She said learners benefited hugely from the work-integrated learning experiences and were expecting meaningful experiences that would provide them with real insight to their possible future in the industry. “These aren’t the interns that you can give menial tasks to like making coffee; they want to actively participate.” She said now, more than ever, the industry was obliged to offer relevant learning opportunities for youths.

“If we don’t use this time to reshape the future of tourism, especially through higher education, we will have missed the biggest opportunity of our lives,” said Anita Mendiratta, founder and president of Anita Mendiratta & Associates and special adviser to UNWTO.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.

Last-minute cruises? Still plenty of space

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Operating safely in a more conflict-ridden world

Column
03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Edelweiss adds Windhoek flights

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Blaauwberg Beach Hotel unveils new event venue

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Feature: Regent unveils new Spotlight Voyages

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

MK backtracks on sports equipment charge

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Spain opens Roman temple to tourists

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Air travel round-up: Qatar resumes several Middle East routes

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Latest Changes on Travelinfo (03Jul'25)

03 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

OR Tambo queues spark airline warnings

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

KQ and QR enter strategic partnership

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Coalition calls for premium-class air travel tax

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Feature: Fastjet flies to the heart of Zambia

02 Jul 2025
Comments | 0
  • Load more

FeatureClick to view

MICE in cruising July 2025

Poll

Have your clients experienced longer queues than usual at security at OR Tambo International in recent weeks?
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Travel News on Facebook
  • eTNW Twitter
  • Travel News RSS
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send Us News