GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Dr. Brijesh Thapa (TRSM) director of the Center for Tourism Research and Development, has received a three-year, $250,000 grant to develop tourism educational programs in South Africa through the organization Higher Education and Development, with funding from United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The grant will provide for a cooperative program which is a wonderful opportunity to develop both South African tourism infrastructure and UF’s international reach, Thapa said.

“Tourism is a very important industry for the economy of South Africa. Capacity building and institutional development is a key component for the vitality and sustainability of the tourism industry in South Africa. This is an amazing opportunity to strengthen UF international initiatives with respect to overall capacity building in tourism for South Africa and the region,” Thapa said.

The grant will allow for the development of a partnership between the University of Florida’s Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Tshwane, South Africa, to strengthen its teaching, research, service and faculty development initiatives in tourism management.

Thapa and his colleagues will work with TUT to expand existing curriculum, develop new curriculum in casino management, event management, airport and aviation management, and develop vocational training as well as executive training certificate programs. The new initiative also will try to target and enroll disadvantaged South Africans in higher education for tourism.

In addition, a center for sustainable tourism will be established to engage tourism professionals across southern Africa in sustainable practices in tourism. The new center will be instrumental in research, training, and will act as a community and industry liaison for the region.
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