ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference for a Resource Person to Provide Advice on Community-Based Tourism Services for Ethnic Communities, under the Futuremakers Project.

1. Introduction

Plan International is an international non-governmental organization with a vision to see every child in the world thriving in a dignified society. We collaborate with families, communities, and governments, and other partner organizations to ensure that all children have the right to survival, protection, development, and participation. In 2022, Plan International Thailand initiated the "Building a local eco-tourism network of community-based enterprises for Thailand’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery" project (Futuremakers) in the provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. This project aims to promote local eco-tourism enterprises for the economic recovery of Thailand after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Futuremakers project is looking for resource person(s) in the areas of ethnic community-based tourism services. This is to provide knowledge, advice and support the skill development of the target young people.

2. Background

the Building a local eco-tourism network of community-based enterprises for Thailand’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery, or Futuremakers, project. The project contributes to the Futuremakers campaign which generously supported by the Standard Chartered Foundation. The Futuremakers project, in Thailand, expects to build and develop entrepreneurial skills. This will support the economic recovery plan after the COVID-19 pandemic. The project implements in 20 communities based in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. The project encourages each business group to develop a variety of products and services such as homestay, camping, natural attraction tours, and community products; weaving, embroidered fabrics, dried fruits, dried fish, chili paste, herbal products, etc.

Currently, community enterprises conduct upskill training for members in three categlories consist of: 1) accommodation and related facilities in local community such as homestay standards, farm stay development. 2) Community-based tourism learning activities, such as traditional foods, traditional economic activities, as well as hiking and exploring natural resources. 3) Development of community products, such as food and food processing, herbs, beverages, and textile products like weaving and embroider

2. Objective of ToR

To provide guidelines and advices for development of community accommodation service standards, and development of community learning activities in line with standardized management, services, and pricing for 8 targeted communities; 4 communities in Mae Suay district, Chiang Rai and 4 communities in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai.

3. Tasks/Methodology

• Online working: coordinating with the project team and product submission in the early stages and product deliver stages.
• Onsite working: meeting with targeted communities during 1 – 15 October 2023 in Mae Suay, Chiang Rai and Chiang Dao, Chai Prakan and Fang, Chiang Mai (Costs should be prepared by the project team).

4. Deliverables/ outputs  

• Principles and guidelines for developing and improving homestays to meet standards.
• Strategies for compiling tourist service information and promoting it through both online and offline channels.
• Marketing communication channel strategies.
• Provide advice on pricing services in different packages tours.

5. Schedule

The total operation period is 53 days with the following sequence of operations:

6. Payment

 The project divides payments into three phases, which are as follows: The first payment is 30% of the total budget, the second payment is 40%, and the third payment is 30%. The Plan International Thailand will deduct 3% withholding tax according to the Revenue Department rules.

• 1^st Payment (30%): Payment will be made when the contractor delivers the training materials and provides them to project as in the task no. 2.

• 2^nd Payment (40%): Payment will be made when the contractor completes providing guidance on community tourism for first 4 communities as in the task no. 3.
• 3^rd Payment (30%): Payment will be made when the contractor delivers the complete work according to the conditions and timeline in the task no. 7.

7. Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in designing or providing services in community-based tourism.
• Knowledge and experience in designing community product labels.
• Interest in promoting livelihoods in the community, especially for young people.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the community and be open to receiving feedback from them.

8. How to apply

Applicants can choose to apply for either the resource person in community tourism services or the resource person in information compilation, media, and product promotion for marketing. Alternatively, they have the option to apply for both positions.

Interested applicants, please submit resume, along with work samples, work plans, and quotations, along with your contact information, by October 6, 2023, via email to thailand.procurement@plan-international.org, refer Futuremakers Resource Person (s) on Community-based tourism in subject line. For further inquiries, please contact Mr. Suphachai Navatweepon or call 02-259 8284.

Kindly be informed that only shortlisted candidates will be notified within 5 working days after the closing date. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Selection of the consultants will be done through proposal reviews and candidate interviews.