SA AIA presents at the Business of Guiding Workshop
30 Sept 2025
Tourist Guide Workshop held by Western Cape Government
Caledon Hotel & Spa Confernce Venue, Western Cape.
NEC member, Marie-Louise Kellett represented SA AIA at a conference organised by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism in Caledon. The Business of Guiding conference was aimed at registered Tourist Guides from the Western Cape and was very well attended, both in person and online.
Marie-Louise was part of a panel discussion on "Ethics for Tourist Guides" together with Michelle du Plessis from FGASA, Francois Collin from NFTGA, Chris McDuling from CTGA and Neo Lesaoane from CATHSSETA and hosted by Jacques from DEDAT.
Most of the discussion centred on the changes to the tourism quide qualifications. Neo confirmed that legacy qualifications would be recognised and that no currently qualified guide would need to redo their qualification in order to re-register with their provincial registrars.
Marie-Louise and Michelle outlined the favoured approach going forward, stressing that the aim of the new qualification was to develop a structure that worked in the real world, for all guides. There was universal concern that the time that remained (less than a year), was not sufficient to finalise these new qualifications. Neo requested patience from the sector as she explained that CATHSSETA had to redevelop qualfiications for the full range of sectors under their remit.
Marie-Louise was also asked to do a general presentation on Adventure Tourism in which she was able to introduce the audience of mostly Culture Guides to the important concept and issues within the adventure sector. International and local statistics show that Adventure Tourism is the sector that shows the most growth, with almost half of all international travellers having adventure as their primary motivation for travel.
Other items in a very interesting schedule included presentations on responsible tourism by Lisa Schriven, Food Tourism and Wellness Tourism.
Marie-Louise Kellett said "It was very encouraging to see that every single presenter acknowledged the primary importance of sustainability and responsible tourism practices as being foundational to any successful form of tourism".
