Where Is Best To Study Tourism 2026?

Where Is Best To Study Tourism 2026?

Acquiring the right place to study tourism in 2026 is an important decision if you want to build a successful career in hotel and tourism management. With many colleges and institutions offering tourism-related courses, it’s important to carefully weigh your options to find the program that best fits your goals and interests. Tourism is one of the biggest industries globally and plays a vital role in South Africa’s economy, creating numerous job opportunities. A career in this field can be exciting and rewarding, but it also demands hands-on experience and strong people skills.

When deciding where to study tourism, consider the quality of the program, opportunities for practical training, and the school’s connections within the tourism industry. Many top institutions offer internships or work placements, giving students valuable real-world experience that can make a big difference when starting their careers. South Africa is home to several respected colleges and universities known for their tourism programs. These schools often combine classroom learning with practical experience, preparing students to meet the challenges of the tourism and hospitality sectors.

This post will highlight some of the best places to study tourism in 2026, what to look for in a quality program, and tips on how to make the most of your education. Whether you’re interested in hotel management, travel planning, or event coordination, choosing the right school will help you take the first step toward a rewarding career.

What is Tourism Management?

Tourist management is responsible for supervising all operations relating to the hospitality, travel, and tourist sectors. These comprise organizing tours, providing lodging, arranging for travel, and ensuring rules are followed. Students who pursue a career in tourism management will have the necessary qualifications, experience, and job-seeking abilities. It gives students the broad business management and marketing skills they need to oversee all operations and guarantee client satisfaction. Best Tourism college

Why Take A Course In Tourism Management?

These are some of the reasons why you should take the course in Tourism Management:

Despite the current drop, the tourism sector continues to be one of the world’s fastest-growing job sectors.
Because tourists have the opportunity to encounter other cultures and practices, a sense of camaraderie develops among tourists from across the world.
Professionals in the tourism industry are eligible to apply for positions throughout the world. This enables you to visit several locations and discover new nations, neighbourhoods, ecosystems, and wildlife.
Numerous opportunities exist for a career in tourism, many of which require non-standard working hours. You may also have the opportunity to work in unusual settings, such as on aeroplanes, cruise ships, resorts, and more, depending on the position you apply for.
You will learn the fundamentals of business management, marketing, human resources, project management, sustainability, and other topics in a tourism management course.

Can I Work In Tourism Even With A Higher Degree?

Yes, you can work in tourism with a higher degree. A Higher Certificate in Tourism Management prepares you for various job opportunities in South Africa’s tourism industry. This qualification helps you contribute to the sector’s social, economic, and environmental growth. With advanced knowledge, you can pursue roles in hotel management, travel agencies, or eco-tourism. Employers often prefer people with higher qualifications for specialized positions. A higher degree boosts your chances of success and impact in the tourism field.

Fields You Can Study In Tourism

Below are some of the fields you can study in tourism:

Resort Management: Focuses on managing hotels, resorts, and hospitality businesses, covering areas like food safety, accounting, event planning, and staff management.
Travel Operations and Service Management: Covers travel agency management, tour planning, travel marketing, and customer service related to the travel industry.
Tourism Marketing: Teaches strategies to promote tourism destinations, services, and products effectively to attract visitors.
Event and Festival Management: Focuses on organizing and managing events, festivals, and conferences that draw tourists and enhance their experience.
Hospitality Management: Combines tourism with hotel and restaurant management, emphasizing guest services and operational efficiency.
Sustainable and Eco-Tourism: Centers on environmentally friendly tourism practices, wildlife tourism, and conservation efforts within the industry.

Best Place To Study Tourism In 2026

The following are some institutions where you can pursue studies in tourism within South Africa:

TVET Colleges

False Bay TVET College
Northlink College
Livingstone Tourism Academy
The Tourism & Business Institute of South Africa
CTU Training Solutions
SA College For Tourism
MSC Business College
Coastal KZN TVET College
Nkangala TVET College
Ehlanzeni TVET College
Northern Cape Urban TVET College
North West Hotel School

Universities

University of South Africa (Unisa)
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
University of Cape Town (UCT)
University of the Western Cape (UWC)
Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
University of Pretoria (UP)
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Central University of Technology (CUT)
University of the Free State (UFS)
Durban University of Technology (DUT)
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
University of Limpopo
University of Venda
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
North-West University (NWU)

International Countries

United States
Australia
Thailand
Switzerland
Spain
Singapore
United Kingdom
New Zealand
Canada

Career Opportunities After Studying Tourism 2026

Students will be employable in the various sectors of the Travel and Tourism industry in a junior position.

Foreign Exchange Agents
Game Ranging and Safari Work.
Travel Counselling;
Transportation Management (Airline Ground Crew, Car Rental Agents, Reservation Agents at Inter-City Coach companies);
Tourism Development;
Restaurant and Food Services;
Conference and Events Planning;
Accommodation Management;

DHET Contact Details

Get in touch with the DHET with the information provided below:

Physical Address:

123 Francis Baard Street
Pretoria
0001

Website: www.dhet.gov.za

Call Centre Information

0800 87 2222

Email: callcentre@dhet.gov.za

Private Bag X174
Pretoria
0001

Tel: + 27 12 312 5911

Dhet is the official website to provide you with details on colleges running tourism programs in South Africa. Hope this information was useful; if you have any questions regarding this post, please leave a comment in the space provided below.

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