CSO Sustainability by Networking for Social Entrepreneurship This Project is funded by the European Union U n d e r t h e I P A T A I B 2011 P r o g r a m m e CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ENGAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERT ON TOURIST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT 17 January, 2017 A Project is implemented by: and its Project Partners: ORT Training for sustainable development, Skopje Vila Zora, Veles Eko-zivot, Kavadarci Blagoja A. Kotlarovski, Resen
This Publication / Document is prepared under the project: CSO Sustainability by Networking for Social Entrepreneurship and financed by the EU pre-accession aid TAIB National Programme, 2011. The project is implemented by the Regional Environmental Center (REC) Country Office Macedonia assigned as Leader Organization in partnership with 4 organizations: ORT Training for Sustainable Development, Skopje Association for protection and promotion of the environment EKO-ZIVOT, Kavadarci Ecological Association Vila Zora, Veles Association on fruit producers BLAGOJA A. KOTLAROVSKI, Resen The project goal is to ensure the financial stability of the CSO sector through public, private and economic partnerships. The aim of the project is finding financially sustainable solutions for diversion of CSOs non-for-profit activities towards commercial activities in the field of tourism, by designing and offering distinctive and competitive tourist products (within 4 sub-regions, represented by each partner organization), by using innovative marketing techniques for their promotion. The project duration is from November, 2015 to May, 2017. This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document/publication are the sole responsibility of <the Leader and Partner organizations and respective authors> and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. 2
I. Background Terms of Reference For International Expert on Tourist Products Development The project: CSO Sustainability by Networking for Social Entrepreneurship is financed by the EU pre-accession aid under the TAIB National Programme 2011. The project is implemented by the Regional Environmental Center (REC) Country Office in Macedonia assigned as a leader Organization (LO) in partnership with 4 organizations. The project will be implemented during the 18 months period, starting from November 20 th, 2015 when the Contract with the Central Financing and Contracting Department CFCD of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Macedonia was signed. The project goal is to ensure the financial stability of the CSO sector through public, private and economic partnerships. The aim of the project is finding financially sustainable solutions for diversion of CSOs non-forprofit activities towards commercial activities in the field of tourism, by designing and offering distinctive and competitive tourist products (within 4 sub-regions, represented by each partner organization), by using innovative marketing techniques for their promotion. During the project implementation the 4 partner organizations (POs) will learn techniques for financial strengthening and sustainable operation, by transferring its non-for-profit mission towards commercial tourist activities via creation of social enterprise. Social enterprises help the CSOs in blending their social, cultural, and/or environmental aims with generating income from production and/or selling of goods and services. The synergies between the CSO`s environmental mission and commercial activity can be built by creating social enterprises businesses owned by non-profit organizations. The tourist social enterprises can scale up social benefits, build the capacity of the CSOs and lower the unemployment rate in rural areas. In addition, tourism can be an opportunity for young people and women to advance their hospitality skills and improve livelihoods. This project intends to create social enterprises in response to the need and opportunity in Macedonia to grow the sustainable tourism and hospitality. The benefit of these activities is reinvestment in projects of public interest (environmental benefits), which will ensure the financial stability and sustainability of CSOs in long-run. The community based tourism business and benefits will result in conservation of the natural resources whilst also leading to increased benefits for local communities. The transition of the CSOs, with the support of the LO, from non-sustainable position to undertaking commercial tourist activity and achieved long-term viability will based on: 1. Long-term planning and business development, 2. Building up qualified and well trained human resources to develop and manage the business in a sustainable and competitive manner 3. Developing sound marketing strategies 4. Showcase a wide variety of unique opportunities that the new tourist products can offer The beneficiaries of the project and focal groups are represented through: 1. Partner organizations (PO); 2. Service providers (from the supply chain for development of tourist product), such as: accommodation facilities, restaurants, wineries, crafts, organic food producers, transporters, tour operators... & 3. Tourists (domestic and foreign, of any age) interested in: sports and recreation, cultural, historical, ecological and rural tourism. The project is organized in 5 work packages (WP) comprising 25 activities in total. II. Scope of Work The International Expert in Tourists Product Development is responsible for developing of specific training curriculum and delivery of the training to the project partner organizations, relevant to the implementation of 2 nd WP, defined under the project: CSO Sustainability by Networking for Social Entrepreneurship. In total 7 activities identified under this package have to be implemented. Briefly explained the 2 nd WP is given below: WP 2: Tourist Products` development: Assessment of the tourist amenities and attractions, services, supplies and their providers in 4 sub-regions; and designing/developing of tourist products ready to market to targeted consumers. This package is expected to contribute for CSOs capacity building via covering the full cycle of tourist product development from identification of opportunities to the final design. The conceptual design of the training to be developed and delivered by the International Expert in Tourism Development is explained below. However, it is expected that the Expert will adjust the proposal below according his best knowledge and practice. TITLE: How to combine the destination`s resources and attractions into a comprehensive and competitive tourist product 3
Initial stage: existence of a motivation to travel. What is the key element that provoke motivation? Are there typical travelers for specific type of tourist offer? What is the best way to know the customers expectations how to exceed those expectations? Exercise (Working Groups) Profile your customer: Who are they and what interests do they have? Basis of a destination: resources and attractions. Elements in developing tourism Commodity (needed to make good) Goods (needed to provide service) Services (used to promote sales) Creation process: infrastructures, facilities, services + activities and experiences. Criteria for estimation the status/quality of: The infrastructure in place and the existing facilities Services Original activities for creating a unique experience differentiation of activities/experience basing on the customer type. Exercise (Working Groups) Identification of elements. What makes your community unique/special? Why people like to live here? What do they do that visitors may be interested in seeing, learning about, or engaging in? How to develop the best fitting tourism product in terms of time duration and content? Who is interested for what? Different proposed tourist offers for different time duration Does the tourist offer need to be type specific (in terms of content) or can be combined? Result: How to stimulate the Consumption of tourism products in a destination? The key elements for stimulation. What are the best Marketing strategies online reviews and word-of-mouth promotions or? Success stories (examples) from idea to realization To be prepared by the International expert Exercise: Development of tourism product Introduction to the exercise Working Groups activity Sharing results of the WG activity / per Working Group 4
III. MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL/QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Education: University degree in tourism and management (any other degree/diploma will be considered as advantage). Functional Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in tour operating services at international level Minimum 7 years of experience in managing of Tour Operating company Experienced in development of tourists products, destination development and nature protection in the South-eastern European (SEE) region. Experience at wider global level will be considered as additional asset. Experienced in promotion of tourism products and tourism related activities Experienced in assisting local stakeholders to develop and implement tourist facilities and services in SEE region Experienced in providing trainings for development of tourist products. Languages: English or Macedonian REQUIRED COMPETENCIES Core values: 1. Integrity 2. Professionalism 3. Respect for diversity Core competencies: 1. Results orientation and accountability 2. Planning and organizing 3. Communication and trust 4. Team orientation 5. Client orientation 6. Organizational development and innovation Training competencies: 1. Strategy and direction 2. Effective trainer and performance 3. Invention and creativity 4. Conflict resolution IV. Deliverables The expert is expected to deliver: Training Agenda and Training materials Training delivery at a location in Macedonia for 2 days during during the week 20 th 26 th February 2017 V. Time dynamic and Remuneration The expert should respond to this ToR according the schedule given in Table 1. Table 1: Scope of work, time dynamic and workdays: 5
Activity Task description Estimated Budget Time period Activity 2.4. Development of Tourist s Products Training: preparation of curriculum, materials 2 days By 24 th February 2017 Activity 2.4. Activity 2.4. Development of Tourist s Products Training: Delivery of training in Macedonia Development of Tourist s Products: support for follow-up tasks, advise for 4 tourist products developed Total 2 days 2 days during the week 20 th 24 th February 2017 1 day 31 st March 2017 5 days x = EUR The international expert will be compensated a fee for the proposed 5 days upon selection of the best candidate and upon finalization of all tasks (one installment). The REC CO Macedonia will cover travel costs to the location of the training delivery in Macedonia at a price of economy class travel. VI. Supervision While performing his/her work the expert will report to the Project Manager Mrs. Milena Manova Ilikj and the Country Office Director Mrs. Katarina Georgievska. The Project Manager is authorized to certify the day-to-day management of the contract activity and the satisfactory completion of the above-described tasks. The Country Office Director will give the final approval of the deliverables submitted under this contract. VII. Expression of Interest Interested candidates should send their detailed CV and accompanying documents listed below to the e-mail address Macedonia@rec.org, no later than 09 th February 2017: 1. Motivation letter (max. 1 page) 2. Filled Table 1 from this ToR with any comments and daily fee rate expressed in EUR (net) 1. 3. Methodology proposing Agenda for the Training and interactive work (max. 2 pages). 1 Duties, taxes and charges including VAT, paid and not recoverable by the beneficiaries. The project funds do not provide for personal tax nor VAT taxes. Expressed amounts shall be in NET sums. 6