Tourism businesses are invited to collaborate, mentor, and engage with rising professionals: Partner with CPUT’s Tourism & Event Management Department
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Tourism and Event Management Department is shaping the next generation of tourism professionals through a dynamic blend of theory and hands-on experience. With strong industry ties and international affiliations, the department is committed to producing work-ready graduates equipped with the skills to thrive across the tourism, events, hospitality, and leisure sectors.
Tourism businesses are invited to collaborate, mentor, and engage with these rising professionals — helping to shape industry-ready talent while gaining fresh perspectives and meaningful partnerships.
The Tourism and Event Management department is part of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). The department prides itself on the valuable relations it has with industry and other stakeholders such as the South African Association for Conference Industry (SAACI), as well as a member of international academic associations such as Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) and Tourism Educators Association of South Africa(TESA).
As a highly recognised department, students will be able to combine theoretical practices and hands‐ on practical experiences relevant to current industry practices. The programmes offered by the department focus on preparing dynamic individuals through a vast range of academic, professional and personal skills to their overall development for Tourism and Events Management careers. Apart from this, the department offers qualifications which prepares students for the diverse sectors of the tourism, events, hospitality, and leisure industries.
The department offers full time qualifications in the tourism and events industries, which include:
Tourism Management
- Diploma in Tourism Management
Events Management
- Diploma in Event Management
The above diploma studies are awarded after 3 years of successful studies, of which 6 months are spent on an internship basis within the appropriate sector of the industry. The department only accepts a maximum of 200 students each year through an application and selection process. Graduates are sought after and have no difficulty in finding employment after their studies. After the Diploma qualification students can continue with the Advanced Diploma, Postgrad Diploma, Masters and Doctoral qualifications.
In-service Learning
Work‐integrated learning is the practical component of both the tourism and events management qualifications. Both qualifications have a WIL subject namely, Tourism Management Workplace‐Based Learning and Event Management Workplace‐based Learning. Students must complete one compulsory in-service learning period in their 3rd and final year of studies.
They are placed at various venues through the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Coordinator and is strictly controlled, as students follow a formal application procedure. Students are required to pass the WIL subject to be able to graduate. The placement periods are as follows:
- Events Management: January‐July
- Tourism Management: July‐ December
During the placement we kindly request that the students be exposed to different departments within the company/organisation/establishment (where possible). If the organization operates with shift work, the students are required to work shifts and weekends as per any staff member. Whilst in industry, the student is required to gain exposure to a minimum of 2 –3 Learning Areas during their tenure as an intern. The variety of Learning Areas cover the diverse nature of both industries. The Learning Areas of each qualification are listed below. An explanation of the Learning Areas can be accessed here.
Tourism Management:
• Travel Agency Operations and Procedures
• Tour Operating
• Air Travel • Destinations
• Galileo/Amadeus/Opera/Semper
• Hospitality Management
• Tourism Information Management
• Marketing
• Media and Public Relations Programmes
• Tourism Destination Development
• Destination Resource Management
• Service Quality Management
• Customer Care
• Events Management
Events Management:
• Event Management
• Project Management
• Hospitality Management
• Events Information Management
• Marketing
• Media and Public Relations Programmes
• Service Quality Management
• Customer Care
The students are assessed on their Performance Appraisal form which 30% of their overall mark for this subject.; and the other 40% is obtained by the student completing a portfolio of experience. If possible, we request that the students be paid a monthly stipend during their placement. Usually this is the minimum wage allowance that covers the students travelling costs. It is worth noting that given the current economic conditions of the tourism, events, hospitality and leisure industries; we do understand if an establishment cannot pay a stipend or a reduced stipend. The experience students gain from the placements is invaluable.
The placement process involves the student’s CV, motivational letter, certified ID copy and current proof of registration emailed to you, then should you be satisfied with the CV, we arrange an interview whereby the student will go to the company/organisation/establishment concerned for the interview. If you are happy with the student, the WIL Coordinator and student(s) can be informed so that the placement can be confirmed. Since this subject is compulsory ‐ students can fail it. This motivates them to perform well and work hard to impress the placement venue and develop their future career prospects.
You can download all information here.
If you are interested or would like to find out more about the in-service learning programme, please feel free to contact:
Michaela Alexandra Crowe
Work Integrated Learning Coordinator Tourism and Event Management Department | Office E3.70
Tel no: 064 196 1234
E‐mail: crowem@cput.ac.za
