This document provides guidance on developing a business plan for an ecotourism site. It recommends creating a one-year plan with specific deadlines and establishing an initial product offering. Identifying available resources is important, such as infrastructure, vehicles, and access to utilities. Potential assistance can come from government agencies, NGOs, educational institutions, and community partnerships. Networking, unique events, and financing options can help promote and support the business idea.
Descrição original:
A Structured approach to developing agrotourism ventures
This document provides guidance on developing a business plan for an ecotourism site. It recommends creating a one-year plan with specific deadlines and establishing an initial product offering. Identifying available resources is important, such as infrastructure, vehicles, and access to utilities. Potential assistance can come from government agencies, NGOs, educational institutions, and community partnerships. Networking, unique events, and financing options can help promote and support the business idea.
This document provides guidance on developing a business plan for an ecotourism site. It recommends creating a one-year plan with specific deadlines and establishing an initial product offering. Identifying available resources is important, such as infrastructure, vehicles, and access to utilities. Potential assistance can come from government agencies, NGOs, educational institutions, and community partnerships. Networking, unique events, and financing options can help promote and support the business idea.
following the Business Plan and sharing your vision
and proposals with others who may be in a position to assist you
Step by Step
One year working plan with specific deadlines for completing activities Establish a basic product offering that can generate some visitor interest and revenue identify what you can do without having to spend or borrow a lot of money
Ask yourself WHERE ARE MY RESOURCES ?
The Product Offering
Basic infrastructure Surveying Cutting access roads and trails Identifying protected and indigenous flora and fauna Regulations re protected areas Community access Using natural materials for construction of railings, benches, huts, paving May have to purchase a 4WD vehicle, tents, mosquito nets May have to refurbish existing buildings or put up temporary structures Utilities Electricity, water, telephone and internet access Safety and security
Needs Possible SOURCES of Assistance Identifying trees, plants and bird species Floyd Homer Carl Fitz James, Brasso Seco Asa Wright Signage Ministry of Tourism or Tourism Authority, Ministry of Agriculture or Min. Works Logo design Industrial Development Corporation or Business Support organisation Youth Entrepreneurship programmes A family member or friend with talent Registrations, Incentives Concessions Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Tourism, National Corporate Affairs / Intellectual Property Offices Network, Network, Network Definition: Networking is about making friends before you need them Have your site on Facebook and Twitter and link to TripAdvisor and other such sites Be close to feature writers in the daily news in your country Be known by your Parliamentary Representative and also with the Opposition MP in your constituency Let persons know what you are doing or planning and ask for help and advice
Work with the Community Can make or break you (especially if access to your place affects their environment or depends on their permission) Importance of good relations Hire locals from the surrounding community, document stories about key persons, know the community leaders, encourage community education and beautification programmes, adopt a school or a childrens home Learn the history of your site from the elders and use the information for your branding - creating a sense of place and authenticity Network with Agencies Embassies: US Embassy and USAID, Canadian, British High Commission and DFID, Chinese Embassy, French Embassy UN Agencies: FAO Telefoods Grants UNDP GEF Small Grants Project UN Women UNESCO (for heritage-based projects) IICA OAS IDB
These Agencies can Help with: Writing proposals for projects Bringing your project to the attention of government ministries, funding institutions, investors and other development partners Sponsoring your participation in meetings where you can promote your products and services Providing technical assistance, information and training and advocacy
Recruiting and Training Staff Student exchanges and interns (Canada, Germany, USA) Voluntourism Hospitality schools (Barbados, Jamaica, Bahamas, Tobago) Internships with Chefs and other entrepreneurs in the region TVET and CTO Pommarine Field training (Brasso Seco)
Promoting your Business Idea Use available free internet and media resources Get interviewed on local television and radio programmes Send news articles to Caribbean news programmes in the USA and UK Send news to national and regional tourism websites (www.onecaribbean.org ), TravelMole, Positive Tourism News, www.letsdoitinthecaribbean.com Airline magazines (Caribbean Airlines, LIAT, COPA) Food magazines (Food and Wine, Gourmet, Conde Nast) Publications of various agencies and institutions Participate in national exhibitions and expositions (AgroFest, Barbados; Denbigh Show, Jamaica) Do Something Different Host an event on your site Folk Fair, Jazz Festival, Reggae Fest, Celebrity Chef evening, Artist Day, Organic Farmers Market, Sunday market, conferences and workshops Offer site as a Study tour for conferences Link your site to major events Offer a wellness weekend after Carnival Side event in a Jazz Festival (eg. Naniki= Piggy-Back on nearby attractions Do Something Different Host an event on your site Invite officials to tour your site and have a lunch (with a view to getting their assistance) Have specials for local visitors and for special groups (families, children, retired persons) Open on Sundays and holidays and let cruise visitors know Where to access finance Standard places Banks Caribbean Development Bank Development Banks Commercial Banks Credit Unions Development Financing Agencies (IDB, World Bank) Other types of financing and revenue generation Family and Friends (equity partners) Church Groups (diaspora in USA, UK) Meeting turn (turn han, sou-sou) Geotourism projects Crowd Funding Benefactors (visitors, charitable organizations) Charging environmental taxes in entrance fees
Other Resources you might need Landscape artists Visual artists Graphic designers Training in setting up and managing a gift shop First aid training Disaster management training Training in foodservice management and food safety How to set up and manage a spa or wellness centre
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