Knysna Tourism and the local municipality have joined forces to turn ordinary citizens into tour guides and entrepreneurs.

A need for professional guides had been identified when registered tour operators complained that locals were cashing in on tourism opportunities without having to adhere to strict regulations set out by tourism bodies, said Knysna Tourism development officer Glendyrr Fick.

For instance, taxi operators would pick up tourists and take them to the townships for a supposed tour, without really providing similar services to those of registered and trained tour operators. “We felt if locals were trained sufficiently, it would also improve the overall professionalism of Knysna’s tourism industry,” said Fick.

She added that the course was unique as it not only presented the trainees with tourism skills but also equipped them to open their own businesses.

“When students have successfully completed the three-phase, two-year programme, they will have Tourism Hospitality Education Training Association accreditation and a Knysna Tourism and Knysna municipality-endorsed certificate,” added Fick.

Twenty trainees were chosen from over 300 applicants. They range between the ages of 19 and 35, and include a chef, taxi drivers, petrol attendants, tourism students, and five unemployed people.

The first phase – a community guide course about Knysna –started at the beginning of this year and culminated in an exam on Thursday last week.

The second phase gives trainees the opportunity to specialise in one area of interest from cultural guiding, field guiding or site guiding. It starts in October.

The last phase, which will be presented in April next year, will be run by the Knysna municipality and will include business and computer skills.