BELIZE
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROGRAM (STP)
PUBLIC SECTOR- TOURISM
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CONSULTING SERVICES
Loan Contract No. 2060/OC-BL
Project No. BL-L1008
Contract/Bid No. IC-PS-002
Title: Request for Expressions of Interest (Consulting Services): DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR THE HOTEL AND TOUR OPERATOR SECTORS, HOTEL MAPPING, AND STANDARDS REVIEW.

The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture (MTCAC) has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments under the project Sustainable Tourism Program, for an experienced and qualified firm to carry out the Development of a National Classification System for the Hotel and Tour Operator Sectors, Hotel Mapping, and Standards Review. This is a priority of the policy and planning component of the STP, to be aligned with the strategies and recommendations of the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, BTB Action Plan 2010-12 and the ongoing efforts of BTB to develop quality and service standards based on the Caricom Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROS-Q). The process will build on successful models within the region and destinations with similar product offering and markets, with a clear national perspective tailored to the needs of the Belize tourism industry and sustainable product development.

The consultancy will provide an inventory and comprehensive categorization of visitor accommodation properties and tour operations based on type. GIS datasets and mapping of the hotel properties will also form a product of this consultancy. In addition, the consultant will review the quality assurance and sustainability tools for these sectors which are currently being developed by the BTB, and provide recommendations for their implementation. These tasks will ultimately assist with licensing, quality assurance, and marketing.

Key objectives include:

• Recognize product differentiation among the accommodation sector, defining realistic classifications with clear minimum standards of amenities and service, as a basis to improve licensing systems and measures for Quality Assurance monitoring and management.
• Recognize differentiation among the Tour Operator sector as a basis to improve licensing systems and measures for training, accreditation, Quality Assurance monitoring and management.
• Create clarity, security and market confidence for guests and hoteliers ensuring correct positioning of the individual accommodations within the marketplace.
• Provide spatial representation of individual properties across the country as a tool to assist in the controlled development of the most suitable accommodation typology according to the growth models recommended within the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan to ensure the sustainable development of the industry.
• Review voluntary quality and sustainability standards tools currently under development by the Belize Tourism Board with recommendations for implementation and management.

Duration of the assignment will be a maximum of 36 weeks, of discontinuous effort anticipated at 150 days and scheduled to begin in February 2012.

The MTCAC, Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the STP Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) 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, 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) March 2011 is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies.

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 8:00am through 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

Expressions of interest must be delivered via direct mail or e-mail at the address indicated below by 12:00 noon on Monday December 19th 2011.

Belize Tourism Board- Sustainable Tourism Program
Attn: Mr. Carlos Mendez, Financial and Procurement Specialist
168 Newtown Barracks
Belize City, Belize, C.A.
Tel: (501) 223-2654
Fax: (501) 223-2621
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it