IN THE lovely sleepy tourist town of Plettenberg Bay humans have not tampered much with nature.
It is no wonder that tourism contributes 80percent of the economy in this small town about 500km from Cape Town.
But tourism graduates from the local South Cape College claim they are not benefiting from the tourism boom and the municipality is "unfair and influenced by politics".
Tourism graduate Phindiwe Seyisi told Sowetan that the Bitou municipality tourism office ignores the graduates during peak seasons and events.
"During the Confederations Cup our tourism office ignored our CVs and instead organised training for other people. We miss out big time in tourism jobs here," she said.
Students have confronted the municipality but without any success.
Azole Keleku, a third-year student, said many young people were studying tourism because it seemed like their only hope to be able to get a job in the area.
He said 80percent of students at South Cape College, the only tertiary institution in Plettenberg Bay, were studying tourism.
"We know that this place is a tourist destination because we grew up here. It is not always our first choice career but we believed then that jobs in tourism were guaranteed."
Bitou municipality tourism spokesperson Zikhona Ncera said the students' allegations were unfounded.
"There is no such a thing," Ncera said.
"The students are studying tourism because they know it has many employment opportunities without understanding what it entails."
She said students do not know where and how to look for jobs and should not blame the municipality.
Tourism graduates blame municipality
IN THE lovely sleepy tourist town of Plettenberg Bay humans have not tampered much with nature.
It is no wonder that tourism contributes 80percent of the economy in this small town about 500km from Cape Town.
But tourism graduates from the local South Cape College claim they are not benefiting from the tourism boom and the municipality is "unfair and influenced by politics".
Tourism graduate Phindiwe Seyisi told Sowetan that the Bitou municipality tourism office ignores the graduates during peak seasons and events.
"During the Confederations Cup our tourism office ignored our CVs and instead organised training for other people. We miss out big time in tourism jobs here," she said.
Students have confronted the municipality but without any success.
Azole Keleku, a third-year student, said many young people were studying tourism because it seemed like their only hope to be able to get a job in the area.
He said 80percent of students at South Cape College, the only tertiary institution in Plettenberg Bay, were studying tourism.
"We know that this place is a tourist destination because we grew up here. It is not always our first choice career but we believed then that jobs in tourism were guaranteed."
Bitou municipality tourism spokesperson Zikhona Ncera said the students' allegations were unfounded.
"There is no such a thing," Ncera said.
"The students are studying tourism because they know it has many employment opportunities without understanding what it entails."
She said students do not know where and how to look for jobs and should not blame the municipality.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos