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Village tourism in the Caribbean

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By Basil Springer
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1
One of the enjoyable experiences in writing my weekly column is the feedback from readers which leads to content for another column.
Last week was no exception. “Thank you Basil for this great article on community tourism and hope you will do another one on the importance of the Villages as Businesses (VAB programme for sustainable development of communities for Jamaica and the world and which (is) now supported by the Diaspora as Community Economic Tourism,” responded Diana McIntyre-Pike, President/Founder at Countrystyle Community Tourism Network/Villages as Businesses.
Goal number 16 of the 17 United Nations Millennium Sustainable Development Goals is dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
Rotary International (RI) is a leading international service organization which brings together business, professional and community leaders to promote – among many other values – peace in the world.
February 2022 is Peace & Conflict Resolution month in the RI calendar.
Tourism, by definition, brings people together. Community tourism cements relationships at the grassroots level and establishes a foundation on which to build unity and sustainable tourism.
It was reported in the media last week that “the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is supporting communities as they prepare to welcome visitors back (after COVID-19) and realize the potential of tourism to kickstart recovery and drive sustainable and inclusive growth.”
“As restrictions on travel continue to be steadily eased or lifted, UNWTO is shifting its focus from supporting its members as they mitigate the impacts of the historic crisis to rethinking tourism’s longer-term role in building resilience and providing opportunity,” the report read.
UNWTO promotes communities as the centrepiece of tourism’s future.
In January 2015, McIntyre-Pike penned an article on the objective and purpose of the Countrystyle Community Tourism Village programme, which rests in the fundamental vision of Countrystyle to empower and develop communities, on a sustainable basis; dynamically marketing and exposing their natural culture, talents, passions and potential to the world; and packaging each individual community as a unique destination (product) within their general destination.
In September 2020, former St. Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, himself a proponent and visionary of village tourism, lauded the village tourism project in Anse la Raye as an initiative focused on driving community tourism, while encouraging tourists to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the destination. The objective is to create new employment opportunities for local St. Lucian entrepreneurs and existing businesses owners in rural communities. Village Tourism provides an authentic experience, while integrating tourists into the fabric of the local economy.
This project was supported by the Government of St. Lucia and the Caribbean Development Fund towards the development of quality community infrastructure which will see the upgrading of the tourism services provided by the local village community.
Here are seven systematic generic steps to expedite Village Tourism projects and propel them on the journey to sustainable success: (1) Recruit a shepherd (life coach and business mentor) – guidance; (2) Establish the value proposition – what you promise to deliver to your clients; (3) Define governance systems – sound foundation; (4) Foster partnerships with government, UNWTO, funding organizations, Rotary clubs and the private sector – financial security; (5) Recruit marketing and PR expertise – brand image enhancement and revenue generation; (6) Hire leadership and management personnel – high productivity, cost containment, profitability; and (7) Embrace workforce development – sustainability.
Let us take advantage of this opportunity to establish unity and peace among our people, across our villages, and the entire world.

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]