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What Qualifications Do I Need To Be A Travel Agent in South Africa 2025?

In South Africa, working as a travel agent can be a fun and successful career choice. However, you’ll need a specific set of abilities and credentials to succeed in this sector.

Although a high school diploma is not required to work as a travel agent in South Africa, having a good educational background can be helpful. Many prosperous travel agents have certificates or degrees in travel and tourism-related disciplines.

Qualifications needed to be a travel agent in South Africa 2025

No formal education is needed to work as a travel agent, but most employers prefer to hire people with a Travel and Tourism Diploma or a closely similar certification. Some travel consultants begin their careers working at a travel agency, receiving training on the job, and perhaps being obliged to take a test after their first year of employment and training. Since most businesses only hire people with some training and experience, there aren’t many opportunities for on-the-job training.

Typically, a National Senior Certificate is required to enrol in travel and tourism courses. It is important to get an education from a THETA-accredited institution and hold a Travel Agents Board license. To sell international airline tickets, travel advisors also need to be certified by the International Air Transport Association.

What does a travel agent do?

To assist individuals and corporate travellers in making the best travel arrangements, including reserving flights, hotels, and rental cars, travel agents or consultants evaluate their clients’ needs. They might specialize in a certain kind of travel, like leisure or business, or a certain location, like Europe or Africa. On behalf of cruise lines, hotels, and specialist travel organizations, they also advertise trip packages. Some travel advisors have in-depth knowledge of the geography, climate, history, language, and customs of numerous nations. Additionally, they offer consumers advice on excursions, passports, travel insurance, visas, and vaccines.

What is the difference between a tour guide and a tour operator?

Tour Guide

From their point of entry, travellers are accompanied by a tour guide to all the destinations they wish to see in South Africa (more precisely, in the provinces where the tour guide is registered).

Tour Operator
A tour operator is a person who handles all the arrangements for visitors to South Africa, including lodging, transportation, and tourist sites.

What are the requirements for one to operate as a tour guide or a tour operator?

Tour Guide

One needs to attend a tourist guide course with Institutions that offer that course (to mention a few, Drum Beat Safaris, Tshwane North College @ +27 (12) 341 2462
Attend a First Aid Course with accredited Institutions e.g. Red Cross (a List of accredited Institutions is obtainable from the Department of
In completion of the above-mentioned courses, register with the provincial offices where you would like to operate.
Liaise with tour operators to get information on the dates when tourists will be visiting South Africa.

Tour Operator

Enroll with Institutions that offer a tour operator course
Affiliate with SATSA for more information on tour operator services
Liaise with travel agencies for information on tourists who will be visiting SA

How to become a registered tourist guide

What are the requirements for one to get his/her transport in the Tourism sector?

Have your transport.
Apply for a Road Transportation Permit from the Department of Transport.
Apply for a Professional Drivers Permit from the g Department.
Liaise with tour operators to get information on the dates when tourists will be
visiting South Africa.
Get a qualified tour guide to travel with tourists when they get to South Africa.

Where can I study to become a travel agent in South Africa?