Statement of Work

 USAID Trade & Competitiveness

 Title of Assignment:  Field Assistance for developing a tourism destination development and management plan (DDMP) for Kagbeni and Marpha districts in Gandaki, Nepal.
Type of Consultancy: Local Short Term Technical Assistance (STTA)
Period of Performance:  April
LOE: 10 Days
Location: Kagbeni and Marpha, Nepal/Remote

 Activity Background

USAID Trade and Competitiveness Activity is a five-year activity that will provide opportunities for the Nepali economy as it recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Activity will enable Nepal to capitalize on global integration to diversify toward higher quality and higher value exports, foster sustainable job growth and income-generating opportunities for those that have previously been left behind by economic growth, and create greater sustainability and resiliency. The activity will also deliberately promote the integration of women, youth, and marginalized groups into markets to participate in economic opportunities created as Nepal’s economy grows. It will increase jobs and exports while supporting the private sector in managing risks from climate change, COVID-19, and other threats.

The goal is to accelerate firm and sector level competitiveness, generate employment opportunities, and increase sales of firms through interventions that incentivize public and private sector actors across the ecosystem to adopt new behaviors driving outcomes across three objectives:

• To increase access to market-based financial and non-financial services.
• To increase productivity in sectors with high growth and employment potential; and
• To improve the investment climate and business enabling environment (BEE), especially for targeted sectors.

 Purpose

The purpose is to facilitate engagements and coordinate activities in the field for two international tourism experts while they are in Marpha and Kagbeni villages to develop a tourism destination development and management plan.

Objective

Support one international consultant hired by USAID Trade and Competitiveness Activity to facilitate the development of a destination development and management plan for Kagbeni and Marpha. The plan will be a strategic tool to help the destinations build and manage its tourism system. 

Assignment Background

The Activity conducted a field assessment of the Annapurna Circuit Trail (ACT) in Gandaki province to determine the state of tourism and different facilities, travel routes, services offered, product availability, safety, and hygiene. During the assessment key destinations identified with high potential to be developed for high-end and experiential tourism are Kagbeni and Marpha. Kagbeni is also considered the gateway to Upper Mustang. In these destinations, there is strong interest from the locals to create a unique brand and a destination management plan. The Activity will therefore support Kagbeni and Marpha villages in a destination development and management plan.

The Activity will engage one international tourism expert to conduct a short-term assignment to facilitate the development of a destination development and management plan. The geographical focus of the assignment is Kagbeni and Marpha villages in Mustang of Gandaki province in Nepal.

For the assignment, the Activity is looking for a local consultant to assist the international tourism expert while they are in the field.

Key Tasks

• Assist in analyzing the destinations’ current state of tourism, local management plans, context, and identifying stakeholders in Kagbeni and Marpha villages;
• Assist in identifying tourism activities, visitor experiences, nature-based activities, rural lifestyle and culture of Kagbeni and Marpha villages;
• Identify and introduce international STTA to key tourism stakeholders and coordinate interviews;
• Coordinate a meeting with the Mayor of Gharapjhong and Baragaon Muktikshetra rural municipalities to discuss the destination management and marketing plan;
• Assist in coordinating and facilitating a group workshop with stakeholders from Kagbeni and Marpha;
• Assist in identifying community organizations involved in tourism development activities in Kagbeni and Marpha villages;
• Assist in identifying stakeholders who are willing and capable of championing the implementation of the DDMP.

 Deliverables and Timeline

Required Qualifications:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Tourism, or a related field.
• 3+ years’ experience doing similar work in consulting, tourism development, international tourism development.
• Have a strong understanding of current tourism dynamics in Kagbeni and Marpha.
• Must understand local, national level constraints, opportunities, and trends affecting destination planning, management, and marketing.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with excellent coordination and verbal communication, including report writing.
• Strong ability to engage with multiple stakeholders and elicit collaboration.
• Strong local networks with key tourism stakeholders in Kagbeni and/or Marpha.
• High degree of independence, flexibility, and ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Must be locally based either in Kagbeni or Marpha

 Reporting Requirements:

The consultant will report to the J.E. Austin Associates’ project manager, Ms. Breah Dean, and the Tourism Value Chain Manager.