The Department of Tourism Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27
The Department of Tourism, together with South African National Parks (SANParks), invites suitably qualified unemployed young South Africans to apply for the Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27. The programme is available across all nine provinces of South Africa, and applications close on 30 September 2026.
This opportunity is aimed at young people who want to gain practical workplace experience while learning more about tourism, hospitality, customer service and conservation. Successful applicants will be placed at participating tourism sites where they can gain useful skills and experience in a real working environment.
The programme may be especially useful for young South Africans who have Matric, enjoy working with people and are interested in the tourism industry. People with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.
Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27
The Tourism Monitors Programme is part of the Department of Tourism’s work to create opportunities for unemployed young people while supporting tourism sites and improving the experience of visitors.
The programme is being implemented nationally, meaning opportunities are available in all nine provinces.
Programme Details
- Programme: Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27
- Department: Department of Tourism
- Partner: South African National Parks (SANParks)
- Job Type: Fixed-term
- Stipend: R200 per unit of work
- Advertised Monthly Amount: R4,600 per month
- Maximum Work: 23 days per month
- Age Requirement: 18 to 35 years
- Qualification: Matric
- Location: All nine provinces of South Africa
- Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Applicants should carefully read the requirements before applying because the programme has specific rules relating to age, residence, documents and availability.
Who Can Apply for the Tourism Monitor Programme?
The opportunity is aimed at unemployed South African youth who meet the required conditions.
Applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Have a Matric Certificate.
- Have a certified copy of their South African ID.
- Provide proof of residence when required.
- Have a clear criminal record.
- Have an interest in tourism, hospitality and customer service.
- Be willing to work flexible hours.
- Be available to work on weekends.
- Be willing to work on public holidays when required.
- Be available to work after normal hours when necessary.
People with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the programme.
Applicants who previously took part in a Department of Tourism learnership or skills development programme must declare this information in their application.
Your Address Is Very Important
One of the important requirements for this opportunity is the applicant’s place of residence.
Applicants must live within a 30-kilometre radius of the participating sites and surrounding communities and land claimants.
This means that simply meeting the age and education requirements may not be enough. Applicants should make sure that the residential address on their SA Youth profile is correct and up to date.
The Department of Tourism advises applicants to update their SA Youth profile with their exact residential address.
Before submitting an application, check your profile carefully. An incorrect address could affect your application because opportunities are connected to participating sites and the communities around those sites.
How Much Is the Tourism Monitor Stipend?
Successful Tourism Monitor participants will receive a stipend based on the programme’s payment structure.
The advertised rate is R200 per unit of work, with a maximum of 23 days worked per month.
The programme information gives an advertised monthly amount of R4,600.
The amount received can depend on the work completed during the month and the programme’s payment arrangements. Applicants should therefore understand that the stipend is linked to the approved units or days of work rather than being treated like a permanent employee salary.
What Will Tourism Monitors Do?
Tourism Monitors will support tourism-related activities at participating sites.
The exact duties can differ depending on where a participant is placed and the operational needs of the site.
The programme may provide practical exposure to areas such as:
- Tourism services.
- Visitor assistance.
- Customer service.
- Hospitality.
- Tourism information.
- Conservation environments.
- Tourism safety.
- General support at participating sites.
Previous Tourism Monitor programmes have included activities such as assisting visitors, providing information about tourism attractions, helping with visitor safety and reporting incidents to the appropriate authorities.
Participants may interact with local and international visitors, meaning good communication and a friendly attitude can be important in the role.
Gain Practical Workplace Experience
For an unemployed young person, getting practical experience can be an important step towards building a career.
The Tourism Monitors Programme can expose participants to a working environment where they may develop skills such as communication, teamwork, customer service and dealing with members of the public.
The experience may also help young people understand more about how tourism sites operate.
Participants could gain exposure to different parts of the tourism industry, depending on their placement and assigned duties.
Be Ready to Work Flexible Hours
Applicants should understand that tourism sites do not always operate like ordinary Monday-to-Friday workplaces.
Tourists and visitors may visit attractions during weekends, public holidays and other busy periods.
For this reason, successful applicants must be willing to work flexible hours, weekends, public holidays and after hours when required.
Anyone applying should consider this requirement before submitting an application.
Fitness Assessment May Be Required
Shortlisted applicants should also be prepared for a possible fitness assessment.
The assessment may include:
- A 2.4-kilometre run.
- 25 push-ups and/or 25 sit-ups within the required time.
The exact assessment requirements will apply to shortlisted candidates as communicated during the recruitment process.
Successful candidates will also need to complete a medical fitness assessment conducted by a registered medical practitioner.
Applicants should therefore be prepared for these additional steps if they are shortlisted.
Interviews and Criminal Record Checks
Being eligible to apply does not automatically mean that an applicant will be selected.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the programme.
Successful candidates will also undergo criminal record checks.
Applicants should provide truthful information throughout the application and recruitment process.
Documents You May Need
Applicants who are shortlisted should be prepared to provide the required supporting documents.
These include:
- Certified copy of your Matric Certificate.
- Certified copy of your South African ID.
- Proof of residence.
Proof of residence may include documents such as a municipal bill, a letter from a tribal authority or another relevant document showing the applicant’s residential address.
A bank statement showing the residential address may also be accepted.
It is a good idea to have these documents ready before you are contacted, especially if you are shortlisted.
Who Is This Opportunity Suitable For?
The Tourism Monitors Programme may suit young South Africans who:
- Are currently unemployed.
- Are between 18 and 35 years old.
- Have completed Matric.
- Enjoy helping and communicating with people.
- Have an interest in tourism.
- Are interested in hospitality or conservation.
- Want practical workplace exposure.
- Can work flexible hours.
- Are willing to work weekends and public holidays.
- Live close enough to a participating site.
Applicants should carefully check all the requirements before applying.
Important Things to Check Before Applying
Before you submit your application, take a few minutes to check your information.
Make sure that:
- You are between 18 and 35 years old.
- You are a South African citizen.
- You have Matric.
- Your SA Youth profile has your exact residential address.
- Your address meets the required location condition.
- You are available to work flexible hours.
- You can work weekends and public holidays when required.
- You have the necessary identification and education documents.
- You are prepared for the recruitment and fitness assessment process if shortlisted.
Taking the time to check these details can help you avoid problems with your application.
Closing Date for Applications
The closing date for the Department of Tourism Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27 is 30 September 2026.
Young South Africans who meet the requirements should not wait until the last day to check their profile and submit an application.
Remember to check that your SA Youth profile contains the correct residential address because location is an important part of this opportunity.
How to Apply for the Tourism Monitors Programme
Applications are made online through the SA Youth platform.
If you meet the requirements and want to apply for the Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27, use the application link below:
Quick Summary of the Tourism Monitor Opportunity
The Department of Tourism Tourism Monitors Programme 2026/27 is offering unemployed young South Africans an opportunity to gain workplace exposure in the tourism, hospitality and conservation sectors.
There are opportunities across all nine provinces, with a stated stipend of R200 per unit of work, equivalent to R4,600 per month based on 23 days.
The main requirements include South African citizenship, being aged 18 to 35, having Matric, meeting the residence requirement and being willing to work flexible hours.
The closing date is 30 September 2026.
If you meet the requirements, make sure your SA Youth profile is complete and that your residential address is accurate before applying.
