THE implementation of the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority (THETA) - which replaces the Hospitality Industry Training Board (HITB) - will "raise the standards of delivery in all sectors of tourism to ensure that South Africa can compete on an international level."
So says Tony Ansara, executive director of THETA, which was given the certificate of approval by the Minister of Labour on March 20, two weeks before its official launch on April 1.
The first board meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 12, to elect a new executive board and to kickstart the process of forming chambers. These will co-ordinate the various industry sub-sectors that fall under THETA's wing.
They are: sports, travel and tourism, gambling and lotteries, conservation and leisure and hospitality.
"The greatest benefit of replacing the HITB is that while hospitality is still a major focus, the body now brings together a whole range of players over the entire industry, including tour guiding and sports, to ensure better control, higher levels of service and, overall, a more professional approach," says Ansara.
THETA will also be concerned with the training and education of organisational and administrative aspects of sports events and facilities, a challenge Ansara says THETA is excited to take on as there is a distinct link between events management, sport and sports tourism.
"We will be soon be meeting with the Department of Sport and Recreation to clearly define to what extent the 140 or so sports bodies and facilities that exist will fall under our authority."
He says that two representatives from the Department will serve on the board of executives.
"THETA will operate from the strength of being able to recognise and accredit some of the commercial entities surrounding sports activities and facilities and the tourism spin-off that accompanies these events."
To this end, THETA will also be able to set certain standards relating to these events and give quality assurances.
(Adele Mackenzie)
