Schools on edge over tourism honours

OVER the next few days, pupils and teachers from the 20 Western Cape secondary schools who have entered their tourism awareness projects in the Premier's MTN/Cape Tourism Awards, will be waiting with bated breath for the announcement of winners to be made during a gala dinner ceremony at the Spier wine estate outside Stellenbosch on September 27. For many, the trip to the awards ceremony will be their first venture into the city. The pupils, who have invested a great amount of time and effort into their projects, are participating in the Western Cape Tourism Board's (WCTB) tourism awareness project initiated for grades 8 and 9 learners. To assist them, the WCTB has provided the participating schools with an information package on tourism which includes teaching aids such as a video, lessons and a board game. Said Jurgens Schoeman, head of development at the WCTB: "We are putting a lot of focus on youth. We see them as the tourism providers of the future." The WCTB has also established a similar initiative in 57 provincial primary schools. While tourism is offered as a matric subject in six schools in the Western Cape, this is the first time that younger pupils have been involved, said Schoeman. "The aim of the programme is to create, amongst children, an awareness of what tourism is and the role they can play in its development, even if it is simply being helpful to a tourist, to enable them to make an informed career choice on tourism or even start a small tourism business." Protea Hotels has sponsored a weekend away at one of its hotels for the winning pupils and their teachers; Elwierda Tours will supply the transport and the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) will organise the children's weekend programme. Awards will also be made in the following categories: * Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year * Eco-tourism Experience of the Year * Tourist Attraction of the Year * Community Tourism Project of the Year * Tourism Event of the Year * Tourism Information Bureau of the Year * Special Award: Tourism Personality of the Year * Special Award: Good Samaritan of the Year * Tourism Ambassador of the Year Tickets to the event cost R120 per person and include a three-course meal and live entertainment. (Elizabeth Sheridan)