TA-8836 REG: Building Capacity for Enhanced Connectivity in Southeast Asia - Tourism Management (48290-001)

The TA-8836 REG: Building Capacity for Enhanced Connectivity in Southeast Asia approved by Asian Development Bank in December 2014 is in response to the request of Southeast Asian countries governments on the need to build capacities for enhanced connectivity in Southeast Asia. TA 8836 is a regional technical assistance program to develop the capacities of civil servants and to promote regional cooperation in BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT and GMS. Activities under output 1 of the TA include training programs implemented in partnership with capacity development partners. The ADB will engage a consulting firm, university or training institution to implement the training on Tourism Management. The firm/partner university will provide training to enhance the capacity of mid-level BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT and GMS officials to apply the latest tools, frameworks and concepts in tourism planning and management to facilitate environmentally sustainable inclusive growth. Specific objectives are to: • introduce policies, frameworks, and key concepts in tourism planning and management that maximize local economic development and catalyze inclusive business; • develop participants’ abilities to conduct tourism value chain analysis; • expose participants to good practice case studies in tourism planning and management for poverty reduction, environmental management of tourist destinations, and cultural heritage protection and interpretation; • broaden participants understanding of how to design effective pro-poor tourism interventions, community-based tourism, and use information technology for tourism marketing and knowledge dissemination; • sharpen participants problem solving, analytical, and strategic action skills; • provide an overview of the strategic directions for tourism cooperation; and • allow participants to share experiences with regional counterparts to develop a network of BIMP- EAGA, IMT-GT and GMS managers and leaders.