New training opportunity launched

A PROGRAMME called SA Host, a new training opportunity for tourist-related service providers, was presented for the first time in South Africa by Mark Perl of THETA (Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Education & Training Authority), at the Fedhasa (Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa) Congress held in Cape Town last week. Perl said the programme adapted for South Africa already exists in 14 other countries, and is aimed at all businesses and services in the private and public sector that tourists may come into contact with, from pharmacies and local tourist offices to front-line personnel at banks exchanging travellers cheques. It aspires to improve standards by promoting a “high level quality interaction for delivery of high-quality customer service”, he said. The SA Host course outline is still to be developed, however it will attempt to foster a national culture of service excellence and pride. Programmes will be run by course leaders, for a maximum duration of two days at a cost of approximately R450 per delegate. SA Host is a THETA national office endeavour, with local host partnerships, employing community leaders to train incumbents. For more information contact tina@theta.org.za. (Tracy Karpas)