PRESS RELEASE
Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA) – Midrand
18 August 2016
RETOSA to launch E-Learning programme
Who doesn’t want to brush up their knowledge about tourist offerings in southern Africa, at their own pace and in the privacy of their own home or office? The Southern Africa Certified Expert course now gives travel agents and tour operators the opportunity to learn all about southern Africa’s best tourist offerings, while promoting intra-regional travel. It is an interactive online learning programme that will boost the participant’s knowledge about the tourism attractions of the region. This exciting new e-site will be launched on Saturday, 7 May at the 2016 Tourism INDABA at the Durban Convention Centre, Room 21 DEF by the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA).
The course will introduce users to the 15 Southern African Development Community countries and their most important tourist attractions Says Kwakye Donkor, RETOSA Marketing and Communications Director: “We are very excited about this programme as the first of this kind of regional tour operator training programme in Africa. Through this programme, our stakeholders worldwide can learn more about intra-regional tourism business opportunities, the World Heritage Sites, Transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) our diverse cultures, the incredible people, natural attractions, inviting beaches and the exceptional tourism infrastructure in southern Africa.” The course consists of 16 modules, with an introductory regional module and 15 country modules. To qualify as a bronze-level Southern Africa Certified Expert, the participant only needs to complete six modules – the regional module and five country modules of their choice.
To qualify as a silver-level or gold-level expert, travel agents and tour operators can improve their knowledge and certification by completing an additional five or 10 country modules. On completion of the necessary modules, they will be awarded certification as a bronze-, silver- or gold-level expert in southern Africa travel and tourism. The increased knowledge (of the different regions) will help users to better structure business or leisure trips for their clients and prospective travellers.
Kate Turkington, travel writer and broadcaster said: “I love the site! It’s so clean, clear and concise with gorgeous images.”
RETOSA to launch e-Learning site for tour operators worldwide
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About RETOSA
The Regional Tourism Organisation for Southern Africa (RETOSA) is the tourism implementing agency for the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). Its primary objective is to facilitate and promote tourism growth and development in Southern Africa. RETOSA’s member states are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.