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Project: Trans-Tunisia Hiking Trail

Activity Title: Diagnostic Assessment Expert

Date of activity & Completion: June 12th, 2023- June 25th, 2023

Background:

Tunisia has long been an attractive and a bargain tourist destination for European travelers. It is known for its all-inclusive packages including airfare and hotel. Most European tour operators that control international tourist arrivals, target coastal cities known for their golden beaches, sunny weather, and affordable luxurious hotels.

Recently, Tunisia has initiated policy dialogues to reconsider its tourism strategies amidst the new global trends and to think about ways to promote new forms of tourism that encourage the creation of sustainable tourism projects based on cultural and environmental alternative tourism. Tunisia’s tourism industry is in an urgent need for strengthening and diversifying the quality of products and services offered to meet the new customers’ aspirations and needs.

Travelers seeking nature and recreational/adventure experiences are an opportunity, they represent a fast-growing market globally and are becoming more resilient, being less affected by the political unease of the region. Such travelers are primarily interested in experiencing the natural attractions by engaging in physical outdoor activities such as walking, hiking or cycling which creates increased opportunities for economic benefits to the local communities.

The current project is considering the challenging situation of the tourism industry and tapping into the potential of the hiking activities as a sustainable and creative way to promote alternative tourism, revitalize the country’s inland cities and rural areas and generate new opportunities of sustainable employment for Tunisian youth.

This project is implemented in partnership with The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), under the Tounes Wijhetouna programme, co-funded by the European Union and Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Objective:

The project aims to promote the growth of Tunisia’s alternative sustainable tourism products and their contribution to employment. In collaboration with public and private partners and representatives of the civil society, the project aims to strengthen the tourism offer by improving the quality of products and services offered by alternative tourism activities. The project aims to implement an innovative and demand-driven approach to build the capacity of major actors in alternative tourism.

Activities:

LI is seeking a Diagnostic Assessment Expert to enhance the capacities of 30 entities and 10 MSMEs to provide services to tourists. The main responsibilities of the expert include:

• Identifying and prospecting MSMEs operating in the hiking sector in collaboration with local communities. This will involve reaching out to existing enterprises in the local communities that can be supported through the project.

• Conducting a full diagnosis of selected MSMEs to identify the specific requirements of each business, with the full range of project support in mind including technical support, equipment, and linkages among other aspects.

• Identifying the challenges faced by the prospected MSMEs and assessing their potential for growth.

• Conducting an environmental assessment per business to analyze the impact of tourism and economic activity on the environment.

Selected MSMEs will benefit from a package of business upgrading interventions, including business and financial skills, marketing and promotion, product/service quality upgrade, and procurement of light equipment and essential tools to support the upgrading of their business. The aim is to meet quality standards, enhance production or service delivery, and enhance tourist experiences aimed at growing the business and creating jobs.

It is expected that the support provided to the 10 SMEs will directly and indirectly create more than 50 employment opportunities in these communities.

The ideal candidate for this position should have experience in conducting diagnostic assessments, identifying the needs of businesses, and developing business upgrading interventions. The candidate should also have knowledge of the hiking sector and experience working with local communities.

Scope of Work:

• Identify challenges of prospected MSMEs and assess the potential for growth

• Conduct a full diagnosis of selected MSMEs to identify specific requirements

• Conduct an environmental assessment per business to analyze the impact of tourism and economic activity on the environment

• Provide a package of business upgrading interventions, including business and financial skills, marketing and promotion, product/service quality upgrade, and procurement of light equipment and essential tools to support the upgrading of their business

Deliverables:

A full diagnosis report of selected MSMEs, including specific requirements and an environmental assessment per business

Duration of Work:

12 working-days