Key skills and expertise

With 33 years of experience, the expert is proficient in tourism and regional development, having managed over 100 projects globally. Key qualifications include expertise in sustainable tourism, destination management, and ecotourism. They have led initiatives in marketing, branding, and capacity building for tourism institutions. The expert has facilitated political dialogue and public-private partnerships in tourism development. Their leadership roles involve preparing tourism master plans and moderating international workshops and panel discussions. Notable accomplishments include developing cross-border tourism strategies and enhancing tourism infrastructure in various countries.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors such as the European Union, United Nations, GIZ, BMZ, KfW, and USAID. Their involvement includes project implementation, technical assistance, capacity building, and evaluations. The thematic areas cover sustainable tourism, ecotourism, and regional development. Projects have been conducted on a regional and national scale across various locations, including Vietnam, Oman, Bosnia Herzegovina, Myanmar, and the Philippines, addressing issues like tourism value chains, cultural heritage, and environmental conservation.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across key sectors including tourism, rural and urban development, public administration, SME and private sector development, and marketing. Roles have included senior consultant, project coordinator, and trainer, with responsibilities in destination management, sustainable tourism, and capacity building. They possess cross-cutting expertise in digitalization within tourism and infrastructure development in rural contexts. The geographic scope of their work spans regional and country-specific projects in Europe, Asia, and Africa, addressing diverse challenges in tourism value chains, cultural heritage, and environmental conservation.

The expert has extensive geographic experience, having worked in over 35 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. This includes significant involvement in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Georgia, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Their work often involves local governance, cultural dynamics, and regional development, with recurring roles in sustainable tourism and ecotourism projects. The expert is particularly familiar with the tourism sectors in these regions, contributing to both short-term and long-term initiatives.

Languages and education

The expert is a native German speaker and possesses excellent proficiency in English, used extensively in international projects and multilingual teams. They have basic proficiency in Turkish. Language skills have been applied in various professional contexts, including in-country work across Europe, Asia, and Africa, facilitating communication in diverse cultural settings.

The expert holds an MSc degree in Landscape Planning from the Technical University Berlin, Germany. Additionally, they completed a postgraduate certificate in Tourism Planning and Management from the Free University Berlin, Germany. Their educational background also includes an apprenticeship in landscaping and leisure infrastructure at the Agricultural Chamber Westfalen-Lippe, Germany.