Change the world

26/09/2018

Nelson Mandela University’s Tourism Department will launch a new programme offering, the BCom Hospitality Management programme, on World Tourism Day (27 September). The new programme will be offered to 40 students in 2019.

Educators from 51 schools have been invited to the event, which will introduce the new programme and promote the Tourism Department’s other programmes too. The hope is that these educators will inform learners and also contemplate studying themselves.

The BCom in Hospitality Management degree programme has been designed to meet the growing managerial needs of the Southern African hospitality marketplace, and especially in the Eastern Cape.

Acting Dean of Business and Economic Sciences Prof Hendrik Lloyd will elaborate on the rationale behind the degree at the launch. Other speakers include the Acting District Director of the Education Department, Nelson Mandela Bay District, Ernest Gorgonzola and the CEO of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism Glenton de Kock.

Students will develop practical and operational expertise in the industry, and the degree programme will provide them with a comprehensive education in economics, business management, financial accounting, information systems and logistics, operations and marketing management, with a focus on the hospitality and tourism establishments.

The Hospitality and Tourism Industry has been earmarked as one of the main drivers of the future economy of Southern Africa as a world-class tourism destination.

The exceptional growth in the hospitality and associated industries has led to a great demand for appropriately educated managers in the hospitality and tourism sector.

The curriculum of the degree programme has the full support of the local chamber of commerce and industry and a number of prominent hotel groups in the area, especially since no other public institution in the Eastern Cape region offers a comparable programme.

The available hospitality-related programmes are not degree programmes, but vocationally orientated certificate and diploma programmes. This degree programme is comprehensive, and management orientated with a specific focus on financial and strategic management.

The programme has been developed following a thorough consultative process involving stakeholders across the country and this will continue. Furthermore, resources have been identified and allocated to facilitate the programme delivery.

Students could become competent hotel managers in the areas of financial and strategic management. They will also be prepared in aspects of human resource management (HRM), information systems, logistics and marketing management.

In addition, students will be familiarised with hospitality facilities and the more practical aspects of hospitality operations management including food and beverage management, front office, housekeeping and accommodation procedures and practices, events management and legislation that deals with a o health and safety requirements, liquor service and licensing, smoke free environments and gaming (gambling).

A walking tour of "Route 67" in the Inner City, which starts at the Campanile and ends at the Donkin Reserve, also forms part of the launch.

Contact information
Prof Hendrik Lloyd
Executive Dean: Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences