South African Tourism Graduate Internships 2026: X23 Opportunities for Unemployed Graduates, Applications for the **South African Tourism Graduate Internship Programme 2026** have been launched by **South African Tourism**. For the 23 available positions, unemployed graduates wishing to work in the tourism sector and / or the public sector will be selected. This initiative will help to develop your career and help you gain valuable work experience, training, and skills in one of the most important public entities in South Africa.
Internships will be offered at **South African Tourism’s head office in Sandton, Gauteng**. It will be a 24-month-long contract where successful candidates will gain experience and skills on South Africa’s global tourism brand and other related country projects.
### About the Graduate Internship Programme
The Graduate Internship Programme wishes to assist South African graduates who hold a National Diploma, Degree, or BTech qualifications at the NQF Level 6 or 7, and who have never undertaken an internship before. Interns will receive structured learning and mentorship to understand the workings of a national tourism office to develop their skill on the tourism value chain.
South African Tourism is also calling on **graduates with disabilities** to remain committed to the principles of non-discrimination, inclusion, and equal opportunity and apply.
**Closing date for applications:** 30 January 2026
**Length of internships:** 24 months
**Location of internships:** Sandton, Gauteng
**Number of internships:** 23
**How to apply:** Online via PNET
### Eligibility
This programme is suited for graduates who:
* are South African citizens
* obtained a minimum of a three-year tertiary qualification (National Diploma, Degree or BTech)
* hold qualifications at NQF Levels 6 or 7
* have never done an internship before
* have an interest in both tourism and the public sector
* are willing to take on a 24 month internship
### Potential Job Roles
The Graduate Internship Programme offers rotational assignments across various business units with the following Graduate Internship Programme job roles:
**Office of the CEO (1 Post – SAT101)**
Public Relations, Marketing, or Communications graduates will work on stakeholder engagement and administrative support, requiring strong organisational skills.
**Legal Services (1 Post – SAT102)**
Legal graduates (LLB or BCom Law) will provide support for legal administration and compliance, which will require a high level of confidentiality and detail.
**Strategic Planning, Evaluation & Project Management (1 Post – SAT103)**
This position is best suited for graduates in Public Management, Public Administration or Auditing who have an interest in strategic planning and performance evaluation.
**Brand & Marketing / Public Relations (2 Posts – SAT104)**
Graduates in Strategic Communications, Digital Marketing, PR, or Marketing will engage in Digital PR, Social Media, Content Creation, and Branding. Creativity and innovation are essential.
**Insights & Analytics (2 Posts – SAT105)**
Graduates in Research, Statistics, Data Science, or Business Science will help in Data Analysis and Visualization and Optimization.
**Finance & Supply Chain (4 Posts – SAT106)**
Graduates in Finance, Accounting, Logistics, or Supply Chain Management may apply for two vacancies in Finance and two in Supply Chain. Strong problem solving skills are essential.
**National Convention Bureau (3 Posts – SAT107)**
Graduates in Sales & Marketing, Events Management, Tourism, or Project Management will work on strategic support for Events, MICE, and Business Events. Digital skills, including Web Design and Photoshop, are a plus.
**Tourism Grading Council (2 Posts – SAT108)**
These positions are about Quality Assurance and Quality Assessment in Tourism. Graduates need to be detail oriented and customer centered.
**Global Trade (1 Post – SAT109)**
This position is suited for graduates in Digital Marketing or Tourism Marketing with Graphic Design and Online Marketing skills.
**Human Capital (1 Post – SAT110)**
Human Resources Management or Industrial Psychology graduates will assist with drafting HR processes, which will be accompanied with soft skills, particularly emotional sensitivity and discretion.
**Information & Communications Technology – ICT (2 Posts – SAT111)**
Graduates in IT, Business Analytics, or Information Systems will engage in systems’ design and development, databases, cyber security, networking, and provide desktop support.
**Tourism Execution (3 Posts – SAT112)**
These roles encompass the execution of both domestic and international tourism. Graduates of Tourism Marketing, Communications, Events, or Travel & Tourism with an emphasis on digital and social media analytics are the most suited to these roles.
### Why Apply?
This internship programme has multi-faceted benefits, including the developement of key skills and competencies, the ability to engage with national tourism frameworks, access to embedded mentors, and the ability to support the realization of the goals for South Africa to be a top global tourism competitor.
This is an invaluable opportunity for graduates committed to developing careers in tourism, marketing, analytics, finance, ICT, public administration, and related fields.
How to Apply
Click here to apply for the South African Tourism Graduate Internship Programme 2026:
Marketing Internship Programme:
ICT / Research / Data Analytics Internship Programme:
Important Notes
- Use the correct reference number in your application
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
- Graduates with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Closing Date Reminder
CLOSING DATE: 30 JANUARY 2026
Do not miss this opportunity to start your career with one of South Africa’s most recognised public entities.
**The deadline for applications is the 30th of January 2026.** Potential candidates need to complete applications on PNET. Kindly ensure that the reference number matches the field of preference.
