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Garden Route Skills Mecca

7 May 2024 Media Release: A Garden Route familiarization trip for UK & Ireland travel trade professionals is hosted by South African Tourism and Wesgro

A Garden Route familiarization trip for UK & Ireland travel trade professionals is hosted by South African Tourism and Wesgro

7 May 2024

South African Tourism, in collaboration with Wesgro, is pleased to announce the hosting of a group of seven travel trade professionals from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland on a familiarization trip to the Garden Route from 9-13 May 2024. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote South Africa as a premier tourist destination ahead of the Africa’s Travel Indaba trade show which will take place in in Durban from 13 – 16 May 2024.

The planned familiarization trip will immerse the participants in the unparalleled beauty and diverse offerings of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region. Throughout their itinerary, the group will explore the towns of George, Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and the Tsitsikamma area.

During their stay, the travel trade professionals will experience a rich tapestry of experiences, including our scenic landscapes, vibrant culture and heritage, abundant wildlife, thrilling adventures, and delectable food and wines. To give visitors a tantalizing taste of our destination’s diversity and allure. The Garden Route and Klein Karoo Tourism Unit has curated goodie bags featuring items from across the region.

Familiarization trips, also known as FAM trips, are an integral to the tourism industry, serving as vital tools for developing business and marketing destinations. These trips provide first-hand experiences of tourism products and services to industry opinion makers and business providers, enabling them to make informed decisions and effectively promote the destination to prospective visitors.

“We are thrilled to welcome our esteemed guests from the UK and Ireland to experience the wonders of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo,” said Denver Johnson, Tourism Officer at the Garden Route District Municipality. Through this familiarization trip, we aim to showcase the incredible offerings of our destination and encourage meaningful partnerships with key stakeholders in the travel trade industry.”

For more updates and insights from the familiarization trip, follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/grandkk.

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200 Tourism and/or Hospitality Work Experience Placement Opportunities – Another Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative

The Garden Route District Municipality invites unemployed persons currently residing within the Garden Route District Municipal area, to apply for an opportunity to be placed at a Tourism and/or Hospitality Organisation for an 18 month work experience opportunity as part of a Garden Route Skills Mecca Initiative. Preference will be given to persons with disabilities. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35.

Opportunities are currently available within the following municipal areas within Garden Route District. Each municipal area will be able to accommodate up to 30 people.

Programme and Entry Requirements

This is an eighteen-month work experience placement programme at Tourism / Hospitality organisation in the Garden Route.

Applicants will be selected based the following sequentially prioritised criteria:

  • 1st Criteria: Persons with a NATED N6 Tourism / Hospitality Qualification that need 18-months work experience for a National Diploma.
  • 2nd Criteria: Persons with any Local or International Tourism / Hospitality Qualification that have had no work experience.
  • 3rd Criteria: Persons with any Local or International Tourism / Hospitality Qualification that have had less than six months’ work experience.
  • 4th Criteria: Persons with at least a NQF 1 Qualification that have a desire to work in the Tourism / Hospitality Sector.
  • Persons with a disability supported by a medical certificate are encouraged to apply and will be exempt from any of the above criteria.

In addition, the GRDM, subject to receiving enough applications and available workplaces, will also attempt to allocate applicants evenly across all Municipal Wards in the District.

Scope of Work and Duties

  • This will be determined by the Tourism / Hospitality organisation but could include administration, reception, room services bar services, restaurant services, food services customer services or any other typical work within tourism and hospitality.
  • All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a pre-assessment to assist with correct career development.

Stipends will be paid for eighteen months by the Garden Route District Municipality. Stipends must be used for meals, accommodation, and travel costs. The Programme also does not include uniforms, PPE or any equipment unless supplied voluntarily by the host employer.

Applicants must apply using the GRDM online system called Unemployed Solutions (click the red button) found at https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/.

THE GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY WILL ONLY CONSIDER APPLICATIONS COMPLETED IN FULL AND IF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN UPLOADED:

  • A copy of South African ID Document certified within the last six months.
  • A copy of highest educational qualifications certified within the last six months.
  • An affidavit certified within last six months that confirms previous work experience, including any Learnerships.
  • A criminal record clearance report from the SA Police Services.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Mr Reginald Salmons on 044-803 1363, or Mrs Angela-Ziva Coetzee at 044 803 1344 during office hours only. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should candidates not be contacted within two months of the closing date, they must consider their application as unsuccessful.

Closing Date: 10 May 2024

Notice Number: 35/2024