Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA) has launched its new e-site, the Southern Africa Certified Expert course.
The site gives travel agents and tour operators the opportunity to learn all about southern Africa’s best tourist offering and at the same time, promotes intra-regional travel.
The course is an interactive online learning programme that will boost the participant’s knowledge about the tourism attraction of the region. The course will introduce users to the 15 Southern African Development Community countries and their most important tourist attractions.
Kwaykye Donkor, RETOSA Marketing and Communications Director says, “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.
For more information, visit certifiedexpert.retosa.co.za