Department of Tourism

About the Department of Tourism

The Department of Tourism is a national government department. It was created after the national tourism function was separated from other portfolios. Its work rests on the Tourism Act 3 of 2014, which aims to promote the development of sustainable and responsible tourism for the benefit of South Africa, its residents and its visitors.

The Act also provides for the Tourism Grading Council and for the regulation of the tourist guide profession. The department sets policy and strategy for the sector. It also works with public entities such as South African Tourism, which markets the country abroad. Its mandate includes transformation, so that more people share in tourism jobs and business opportunities. Do not confuse it with the Department of Transport, which deals with roads, rail, aviation and shipping.

How the Department supports students

As part of its skills development work, the department runs an External Bursary Scheme. It is open to South African students at accredited public tertiary institutions. The aim is to build a pool of graduates for the tourism sector and the wider public service. Recent advertisements have listed a range of priority fields. Examples include tourism development, tourism marketing, economics, development studies, international relations, policy development, risk management, social science, digital technologies and graphic design. In other words, the scheme is wider than tourism management alone.

Published information says the bursary covers diploma, degree, honours and master's study. It can continue for the rest of your studies, and it is renewable each year if you pass satisfactorily. Funding is also intended to cover the main costs of study, but the exact items differ by year, so read the current advert.

What to know before applying

Applicants must be South African citizens with a matric qualification. They must study full time and must not already work for the department. Because the field list can change, check that your course is on the current list before you start an application. The closing date is announced each year. For example, the 2026 intake closed in March of that year. Dates are not guaranteed to repeat, so look at the official site at tourism.gov.za for the latest notice.

Successful students sign a contract with the department. The terms of any work-back period are not confirmed here. Therefore, ask what the agreement requires before you accept the award. Finally, gather your documents early. A certified ID copy, academic results and proof of acceptance are usually needed. Good preparation can make the difference in a competitive pool.