Tourism training facility opened

DAMELIN School of Tourism (DST) has launched the Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Academy (THSA) based in Wendywood, Johannesburg. The new facility offers training for retail travel agents, tourism entrepreneurs, tourism developers and conference and event organisers. International qualifications from UFTAA (Universal Federation of Travel Agents' Associations) British Airways and AH&LA (American Hotel and Lodging Association) form part of the programmes offered. Strategic international alliances have also been formed giving graduates from the Hotel, Catering and Resort Management programme access to the Swiss Hotel Management School in Montreaux, Switzerland and credits towards the internationally recognised American Hotel & Lodging's Hospitality Operations Certificate. The Academy is well placed to deliver high quality training in terms of current government initiatives for training in the tourism, hospitality and sports sector. This sector has been identified as having the potential for significant economic growth and is seen by government as a vehicle for redressing disadvantages by creating employment opportunities at all levels. "For this to occur it is essential that skills levels and service standards meet international standards of excellence and best practices," says Colette Voigt, principal of DST and THSA. Also launched on the site of the THSA is the Damelin School of Holistic Therapies and Aesthetics, which offers diploma courses in reflexology, special effects makeup and more. (Max Marx)