UNDP: Develop a Tourism Bootcamp and Accelerator Programme (Albania)

Deadline: 21-Jun-21

UNDP is calling for proposals to develop a Tourism Bootcamp and Accelerator Programme for the establishment of tourism businesses to explore and develop new business ideas and an Accelerator Programme in the Vjosa Valley of Permet/Kelcyra Area.

Develop an Accelerator programme for a three month duration with identified businesses and start-ups in the area, under the branding – ‘Vjosa wild river one of the few in Europe.

Develop short term, intense training sessions designed to prepare Multi-sector participation, preparation and planning; product development; targeted marketing and information.

Priority Areas

The identified Priority areas include the following, but are not limited to:

Tour guides (deep cultural interpretation and storytelling), communities (manage tourism and impacts), Tour Operators (how to work with local communities) and training in electricity, water, waste efficiency and hygiene to help hotels/guesthouses become greener.
Marketing: Creating honest expectations of ecotourism. Target appropriate markets. Scaling up distribution channels for local products. Use of the digital marketing adapted for the pandemic and online marketing.
Provide mentoring with special focus on growth-related topics, such as sales and marketing and support local businesses and TO (Tour Operators) in adapting their products to meet new realities, especially post Covid-19.
Organize in collaboration with UNDP and the Municipality of Permet and Kelcyra an innovation day (Pitch Day) where businesses will engage in finding cutting edge solutions to real-world problems, as an effective approach to scoping business challenges and identifying appropriate innovation solutions.
- Two winning business (one start-up and one existing) will be identified for financial and operational support within the scope of this assignment, including mentoring in developing their business idea.

Deliverables

A report on the outline of the training materials and schedule of training, together with the main identified stakeholders and their relevance.
Completion of the Acceleration Programme including training and mentoring.
Completion of the Pitch day and the two businesses financial and operation mentoring in their innovative business idea

Duration and timing: The total duration of the assignment will be of 3 three months.

Qualifications Required

The contracted entity will provide a team of three experts. The team as whole must attest for knowledge and experience in tourism boot camps and acceleration programmes, eco-tourism training and mentoring The minimum required qualifications as well as the preferred professional and educational assets for the team are listed below:
- Lead consultant:
  - Advanced University Degree or equivalent in economics, business management or similar.
  - 7 years of work experience in tourism related sectors.
  - Demonstrable experience in training and capacity building of stakeholders related to the above.
  - Demonstrated leadership ability and technical ability to communicate complex ideas verbally and in writing.
  - Ability to work in a team and to motivate other team members and counterparts
  - English and Albanian language communication, reporting and writing skills.
- Second expert
  - Advanced University Degree or equivalent in natural resource management, environmental sciences, eco-tourism, sustainable tourism management or other related fields
  - 5 years of work experience focused in eco- friendly tourism development.
  - Knowledge in nature protection and conservation.
  - Ability to work in a team and to motivate other team members and counterparts
  - English and Albanian language communication, reporting and writing skills
- Third expert
  - Advanced University Degree or equivalent in social sciences, legal studies or related field.
  - 5 years of working experience at the local community level
  - Specialized in social entrepreneurship development.
  - Ability to work in a team and to motivate other team members and counterparts
  - English and Albanian language communication, reporting and writing skills