The Department of Tourism, in partnership with South African National Parks (SANParks), is recruiting unemployed young South Africans for the 2026/27 Tourism Monitors Programme.
The opportunity is available across all nine provinces of South Africa and is aimed at providing unemployed youth with workplace exposure and skills development in the tourism, hospitality and conservation sectors.
The programme is particularly suited to young people who have Matric, an interest in tourism and customer service, and are looking for an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience.
The Department of Tourism’s 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan includes the training and placement of Tourism Monitors across all nine provinces.
Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27
Programme: Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27
Department: Department of Tourism
Partner: SANParks
Job Type: Fixed-term
Stipend: R200 per unit of work (R4600 per month)
Maximum: 23 days worked per month
Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Provinces: All 9 provinces
The Tourism Monitors Programme forms part of the Department of Tourism’s efforts to create opportunities for unemployed youth while improving visitor experiences and tourism safety at participating sites.
Previous Tourism Monitor programmes have involved young people being deployed at tourist attractions, national parks and other tourism-related sites to provide information, assist visitors and support tourism safety initiatives.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Have a Matric Certificate.
- Have a certified copy of their ID.
- Provide proof of residence.
- Have a clear criminal record.
- Have an interest in tourism, hospitality and customer service.
- Be willing to work flexible hours.
- Be willing to work weekends and public holidays.
- Be available to work after hours when required.
- People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Applicants who have previously participated in a Department of Tourism learnership or skills programme must declare this in their application.
Important Residence Requirement
Applicants must live within a 30-kilometre radius of the participating sites and surrounding communities and land claimants.
This means applicants should carefully check their SA Youth profile and make sure that their residential address is accurate.
The Department specifically advises applicants to update their SA Youth profile with their exact address.
Your address is important because available opportunities are linked to participating sites and the areas where applicants live.
Tourism Monitor Stipend
Successful participants will receive a stipend based on the programme’s payment structure.
The advertised rate is:
R200 per unit of work
The stipend is based on a maximum of 23 days worked per month.
The actual amount received can therefore depend on the number of days or units of work completed during the month.
What Will Tourism Monitors Do?
Successful participants may perform duties aligned with the operational requirements of SANParks and participating tourism sites.
The programme can provide exposure to areas such as:
- Tourism and visitor services.
- Customer service.
- Hospitality.
- Conservation environments.
- Visitor information.
- Tourism safety.
- General site support.
Previous Department of Tourism Tourism Monitor programmes have included duties such as assisting tourists, providing information about attractions, patrolling designated areas and reporting incidents to relevant authorities.
The exact duties assigned to successful participants may depend on the operational requirements of the participating site.
Fitness and Medical Requirements
Applicants should also be prepared for possible fitness assessments.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to complete a fitness assessment that includes:
- A 2.4 km run.
- 25 push-ups and/or 25 sit-ups within a specified time.
Successful candidates will also be required to undergo a medical fitness assessment conducted by a registered medical practitioner.
All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed to determine their suitability for the position.
Successful candidates will also undergo criminal record checks.
Documents Required
If shortlisted, applicants will need to provide:
- Certified copy of Matric Certificate.
- Certified copy of ID.
- Proof of residence.
Acceptable proof of residence may include a municipal bill, letter from a tribal authority or another relevant document containing the applicant’s residential address. A bank statement showing the residential address may also be accepted.
Applicants should make sure these documents are available and ready if they are shortlisted.
Final Thoughts
The Department of Tourism Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27 provides an opportunity for unemployed young South Africans to gain workplace exposure in the tourism, hospitality and conservation sectors.
The programme is being implemented nationally across all nine provinces, and the Department’s plans specifically provide for Tourism Monitor training and placement across the country.
If you are between 18 and 35, have Matric, are unemployed and interested in tourism or customer service, check the opportunity carefully and make sure your SA Youth profile contains your exact residential address.
How to Apply
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