Overview

The Fundi Tourism Expert Course (destination specialist training) has been specifically designed to enable the travel provider to sell South Africa more effectively.

Please note that the Fundi course has been specifically designed for individuals that are actively involved in the travel and tourism industry. Individuals that sign up for the course and who are not employed in the travel industry will not benefit from the lead referral system.

What are the benefits?

The course is very comprehensively put together and will equip you with all the tools needed to successfully sell South Africa as a destination.

You will be able to attract more clients with your professionalism and comprehensive knowledge about South Africa.

The course will expand your professional repertoire and, hence your personal marketability:

§         Certified Travel Counselors and Certified Travel Associates can earn eight Continuing Education Units from the Travel Institute. This applies specifically to the United States.

§         The Australian Federation of Travel Agents has endorsed the Fundi programme and upon completion you can earn a maximum 40 credits.

We are in the process of ensuring accreditation to other professional bodies as well. As part of the incentive to sell South Africa you will become part of our successful online lead referral system that is engineered to generate business for you.

Course Outline

The course comprises nine modules, and a glossary of terms. What follows here is a summary of each of the modules:

Module 1: Why sell South Africa?

This module gives a clear outline of why it is economically viable to sell South Africa as a destination. Practical examples illustrate the impact selling South Africa will have on your business and show the size of the opportunities that exists. The module also encompasses a guide on how to get started on selling South Africa.

Module 2: Who to sell South Africa to

Our research has identified the travelers who want to come to South Africa. In Module Two we give you details of this growing market, identify the profiles of typical South African travelers and equip you with the knowledge you will need to satisfy their needs information needs about South Africa.

Module 3: What does South Africa have to offer?

This modules gives a comprehensive overview of South Africa in terms of location, size, climate, people and culture.

Module 4: Doing business with the trade in South Africa

In this section you will find details of the major tourism authorities, associations and organizations. Some useful websites are listed as well as other useful sources.

Module 5: Frequently asked questions

Here we address the most common questions and concerns about South Africa, enabling you to accurately answer some of the more challenging questions posed by your clients. This section will show you how positively South Africa is disposed to the needs of tourists.

Module 6: Key highlights of South Africa’s nine provinces

This module displays the key experiences that travelers to South Africa may immerse themselves in. Each section will also indicate the “must do’s” in each of the nine provinces.

Module 7: A quick guide to South Africa’s infrastructure

This section highlights the world-class infrastructure that South Africa boasts. It will give you the information you need to reassure even your most skeptical clients in regard to transport, security, telecommunications and South African health care services. Most visitors to South Africa are pleasantly surprised by the facilities available and find that in most cases South African infrastructure is on par with the best in the world..

Module 8: Planning the great South African trip

This covers all the ‘need to know’ information that your clients would require to have a pleasant and memorable holiday in South Africa. There are useful hints and tips, useful telephones numbers and information that covers general etiquette.

Module 9: Sample itineraries

There is a wide spectrum of itineraries to choose from to satisfy almost any desire that your clients may have… fromclassical itineraries to cultural tours to an off-the-beaten track experience and a journey of self discovery. They may all be found in this module.

Glossary

South Africa is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, which has lead to some very unique words and expressions finding their way into the vocabularies of all South Africans. Many of these words are used in the Fundi course content. This glossary will explain exactly what these words and expressions mean.

Costs

The Fundi course is free, but this is only applicable to individuals who are actively selling South Africa as a destination in the travel and tourism industry. 

How much time do I have in which to do the course and are there any tests?

You have one year from the time that you have enrolled in which to complete the course. In order for you to qualify as a South African Fundi, you will have to achieve an 80% pass mark for the two online assessments and a 80% pass mark for the final online assessment.

Worksheets

At the end of each module (except module nine) there is a worksheet to be completed.  This is for self-study purposes, and the answers can be found immediately after each worksheet.

Online Assessments

There are two online assessments. The first covers module five, seven and eight. The second online assessment covers module six. For each of the two multiple-choice online assessments you will need to attain a minimum pass mark of 80%. The online assessments will randomly generate questions (ie, if you do an assessment more than once, you will not get the same set of questions). Once you have completed an online assessment your results will be immediately displayed. All  incorrect answers will also be shown and a record of your results will be captured on the website. You can do the online assessments as many times as you need to, to attain a pass mark of 80%.

Final online assessment

Once you have successfully completed both the online assessments, a final online assessment comprising of 30 questions will have to be taken.

 You will need to get 80% to pass. Should you not achieve 80%, you will have to take the assessment again until a pass mark of at least 80% is achieved.

What happens after you have passed?

A Fundi certificate will be mailed to you prove that you are a true expert on South Africa. You will also become part of our successful lead referral system that is designed to generate business for yourself and your company. We ask you to submit a profile of yourself and your organization along with a photograph yourself and your company’s logo. A banner is flagged on the main South African Tourism site (www.southafrica.net), telling potential travelers that they should contact a South African Fundi (experts) in their country to fulfill their travel requirements to South Africa.

We hope to welcome you as a Fundi participant and want to do all we can to help you sell one of the hottest and most vibrant destinations in the world.