Project ID: 3566/OC-BL

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

SUPPORT FOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING & BRANDING THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST CORRIDORS AND TRAILS IN THE EMERGING DESTINATIONS OF COROZAL AND TOLEDO.

Institution: MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CIVIL AVIATION (MTCA)

Country: BELIZE

Project: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROGRAM II (STPII)

Sector: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Operation No: 3566/OC-BL

Deadline: 4 p.m.  Thursday April 27, 2017

The Government of Belize has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the “Sustainable Tourism Program II”, and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards payments for consulting services for “Support for Product Development, Marketing & Branding Through the Development of Tourist Corridors and Trails in The Emerging Destinations of Corozal and Toledo”.   The main purpose of this consultancy is to promote branding and innovation in the design, development and marketing of quality, niche products within the target emerging destinations of Corozal and Toledo.

To this aim the firm will:

• review market opportunities based on existing market studies, and identify core marketing partners;
• develop product concepts through a rapid product assessment; development of a geo-referenced tourism asset map and data sets; stakeholder engagement to identify sites, attractions, restaurants, accommodations and supporting services, for inclusion; and prioritization of themed trail/route/circuit concept;
• develop a market ready culturally themed route and sub-trails and/or nature themed route and sub-trails in each destination, supported by capacity building initiatives.  
• Brand and website development

Anticipated duration of this consultancy is no more than fourteen (14) months.  The consulting firm or consortium must show demonstrated experience working with niche tourism product clusters and the development of tourism trails particularly in rural communities with a cultural and nature based focus.  The firm should also have in-depth expertise in tourism marketing and product branding; and tourism training in particular as it relates to small business entrepreneurship, hospitality, digital marketing, pricing, packaging and promotion. Key Experts will include a Tourism Specialist, Tourism Trainer and Marketing Specialist with additional support for training facilitation and GIS.  Previous experience working in projects financed by multi-lateral and bilateral organizations in the Caribbean is desirable.

The procurement method for this contract will be Quality and Cost-based Selection (QCBS). The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, now invites eligible Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants must provide information establishing that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, availability of equipment etc). Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.

Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (GN-2350-9) and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies.  Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 09:00 AM to 4:00 PM local Belize time. Expressions of interest must be delivered via direct mail or e-mail at the address indicated below by 4 p.m. on Thursday April 27, 2017.

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation

Attn:  Procurement Specialist, STPII

106 South Street, Belize City, P.O. Box 325

Tel: 501-227-2801/02

E-mail: [email protected]