Program Client: African Development Bank
Year: October 2020 – October 2021
Project Overview:
The objective of this assignment is to build the skills capacity within the tourism businesses. Specifically, the consultancy conducted an analysis of the training needs within the selected 5 tourism business sub-sectors; identify training/ skills gaps that can be addressed through short term training, mentoring and/or coaching to ensure that the selected clusters have the right skills set to enhance their effectiveness in the creation of jobs; build a pool of tourism training consultants and develop and deliver capacity building program for 5 tourism sub-sectors based on the recommendations of the training needs assessment.
Scope of Work:
- Conduct training needs assessment and recommend interventions that will address the business development sector issues;
- Identify needs of the clusters, including methods based on the recommendations of the training needs assessment;
- Develop a comprehensive trainer’s manual to be used to build the capacity of trainers;
- Hold stakeholder workshop (s) to validate the reports (training needs assessment and capacity building program);
- Develop training materials and tools to be used by trainers and businesses, respectively;
- Develop training content and training plan for 5 sub-sectors (accommodation, tour operation, event organizers. Tour guides and Crafters).
- Conduct training of private sector from the selected 5 Tourism Clusters;
Program Client: African Development Bank
Year: April 2019 – October 2020
Project Overview:
The objectives of the Consultancy were to conduct a scoping/baseline survey on tourism MSMEs in Malawi, undertake training needs assessment for the MSMEs, develop training programs and supporting manuals and deploy the business development trainings targeting tourism MSMEs.
Scope of Work:
- Conduct the baseline survey of existing reports, studies, strategic plans and documents, policy and regulatory framework for Tourism MSMEs in Malawi
- Base on the findings of the baseline survey, identify and analyze key tourism value chains, market and business opportunities for MSMEs;
- Develop a Training needs assessment report;
- Develop/adapt, translated training materials in cooperation with local training institutes to be selected based on their comparative advantage and ability to continue the trainings on a sustainable basis after project completion;
- Develop training methodology specifying the relevant training methods to be used, e.g. (but not limited to) group work, cases, presentations, trainer instructions, adaptation of training manuals, handouts for participants and a training curriculum;
- Review financing modes for MSMEs in the tourism sector and develop a framework for identifying MSMEs for financial and capacity building support;
- Develop monitoring and evaluation procedures, and accountability systems for MSMEs on the project’s business health checks, incubator and financing program;
- Develop criteria and guidelines, including credit risk assessment, and model for selecting MSMEs for funding;
- Deploy various trainings on MSMEs development which includes development of investment proposal and bankable projects;
- Develop a Tourism MSMEs Sustainable Business Development strategy and plan;
- Facilitate training of Trainers in Tourism Business Management; and
- Provide technical support for the establishment of an MSME business incubator and career guidance center.
Program Client African Development Bank
Year: June 2020 – October 2021
Project Overview:
Clearly identify weaknesses, gaps, challenges and needs in both the corporate governance and financial management systems in MTC. Make recommendations on how to address these to enhance efficiency and effectiveness and, propose an Implementation Plan which includes a Resource Plan which is costed to come up with an Implementation Budget. After presentation and approval, the costed Implementation Plan would guide the next phase of the assignment
Scope of Work:
- Strengthen MTC Corporate Governance and Financial Management
- Review the existing internal system and processes and oversee implementation of recommended internal financial systems.
- Transfer know how and build capacity of financial and Administrative staff through on-the job
- Facilitate and oversee a technical dialogue and collaboration amongst all Public Private Partnerships and stakeholders with a view to enhance PPP in the tourism sector.
- Provide assistance to tourism sub-sector associations through trainings.
- Monitor a PP dialogue platform to strengthen the tourism cluster
- Support MTC marketing and product development through the design of a website, membership database development, and the provision of relevant services to its members to generate resources and attract more members.
- Enhance MTC visibility in the tourism sector and to various stakeholders through various awareness Television and Radio programs, collaterals, and activities.
Program Client: GIZ
Year: February 2021 – December 2021
Project Overview:
This project aim was to develop a Qualification Framework, International Quality Standards and Assessment Tools for Rwandan Tour Guides. The consultant team developed a detailed qualification framework and licensing system based on benchmarking to international standards. The team provided a set of quality standards with clear competences to be assessed at each certification level.
Scope of Work:
- Review of existing tourism plans and other relevant documents
- Comparison of guide certification programs
- Design a unique certification program for Rwandan Tour guides with clear competences to be assessed at each level (Bronze, Silver and Golden).
- Design the assessment tools
- Develop the tourism repository for Rwanda
- Draft the qualification framework and licensing system based on benchmarking to relevant international standards
Client: Private Investor
Year: March 2020-May 2020
Project Overview:
The main purpose of the market and financial feasibility study is to assess the market potential on the basis of market analysis and market outlook, and to evaluate the financial feasibility of the project on the basis of investment estimation and expected financial performance of the project.
Scope of Work:
- To assess market potential of the proposed hospitality component of the project, on basis of a local hotel and apartment market supply and demand analysis, as well as on the basis of local competitive set analysis;
- To prepare a concept for embedding the hospitality component into the overall development aiming to generate mutual benefit. The hospitality component offering facilities and services for the residential area.
- To prepare market and financial projections of the project for the first ten-years period of operations
- To evaluate financial feasibility of the entire project based on standard methodology of investment evaluation.
Scope of Work:
The overall objectives of this assignment was to streamline the procedures and processes of handling cruise ships in the region with a view to promoting cruise tourism in the Eastern and Southern African region throughout all water bodies, from ocean shores to lakes.
- Identify deficiencies in legal and regulatory frameworks.
- Harmonization of regional regulations and legislations.
- Provide uniformity in the service provision in the region.
- Developing structured standards and clear guidelines to coordinate regional activities.
- Promotion of cruise shipping in the region and enhance marketing efforts.
- Strengthen partnerships with EU cruise stakeholders by providing a strategic master plan.
- Information system will be strengthened among the stakeholders.
- Support facilities and infrastructure, such as airports, hotels, transportation, and security in addition to smooth handling of the vessels will be improved in the strategic concept.
Description of Project:
- Attend initial briefings with PMAESA and tourism Cruise conference in Durban.
- Port visits to key itineraries in Africa, interviews and data collection.
- Draft report including institutional programs, policies and interventions in cruise development, framework of funding, stakeholder workshop, findings and final report
- Draft recommended guidelines, definitions and conventions for common use by PMAESA members. Draft framework for collation of cruise statistics.
Project Status:
May 2011 to October 2011
Scope of Work:
Guide the sustainable development, promotion and investment in the corridor in order to increase the average length of stay of international tourists in Rwanda, contributing to increase tourism revenues and job creation.
Description of Project:
Horwath HTL provided feasibility study and an integrated and sustainable Sub-Master Plan.
Assessment of the existing situation along the corridor, including assets (natural and cultural), infrastructures, tourism facilities and opportunities for sustainable development, identification of business and investment opportunities within the corridor.
Development of a physical master plan for key zoned areas in the corridor for easy implementation and coordination of tourism development.
Horwath HTL Solution & Implementation Plan:
Tourism inventory
Field mission: individual interviews, stakeholder interviews, intermediary meetings with procuring entity.
Document check-list
Development of working plans and promotional items
Preparation of: reports, marketing materials and validation meetings
Project Status:
Project Completed November 2014
Client: Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
Year: February 2019-Ongoing
Project Overview:
- Collect information and analyze all geo data related to cultural, historical and religious tourism development along the heritage corridor;
- Create database for all heritage corridor tourist sites and facilities,
- Digitalize all the tourism related information gathered;
- Produce heritage corridor tourism digital map for tourism use purposes;
- Conduct training on the use of the digital map for RDB staff and stakeholders.
- Data hosting and detailed information on national server focusing on the sustainability of this activity.
Client: Ultimate Concepts Ltd
Year: Dec 2018-ongoing
Project Overview:
- Conclude the negotiation for the contract amendment
- Establish a controlling mechanism with regular reports and regular (monthly) meetings with the
hotel management - Support the management of UCL in preparation of and during these meetings
Scope of Work:
- Understand the basis of calculation of all fees payable by you to Radisson Blu in order that we may check that these are being properly calculated and charged going forward;
- Understand the rights and responsibilities of operators of the properties, notably in relation to; Payment of management and other fees; The provision of management information;
- Any obligation, or best effort requirement to maximise revenue and/or profit and Central, regional and local Sales & Marketing activities, etc.
Client: AFRINEST ENGINEERING LTD
Year: April 2019 to December 2020
Project Overview:
The main purpose of this study was aiming to assist AFRINEST enter into the Rwandan market to invest into a shipyard and a cruise ship (Kivu Queen)
Scope of Work:
- Set up operation of AFRINEST in Rwanda
- Assist with contacts to government institutions, finance institutions and other tourism stakeholders
- Developing further tourism attractions along lake Kivu in order to support the successful launch of cruise tourism along the lake
- Establishing contacts to DRC in order to integrate tourism attractions from DRC and develop a cross border cruise itinerary
- Assisting AFRINEST in entering neighboring markets (Uganda, Kenya). Contacts to government institutions in Uganda and Kenya.
Client: Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)
Year: July 2017- Feb 2019
Project Overview:
- Development of Tourism Master Plan For Gishwati-Mukura National Park
- Market Analysis of Gishwati-Mukura National Park and connected corridor; Inventory of existing and potential attractions and identification of investment opportunities.
- Detailed product development strategy and development of a marketing plan for Gishwati-Mukura National Park and connected corridor.
- Development of an implementation plan defining roles and responsibilities for implementation, budget estimates and timeframe.
Scope of Work:
- Review of Data and existing Plans
- Field Trips and Interviews
- Identification and inventory of potential attractions
- Public and Private investment opportunities and Needs
- Product Development Strategy
- Branding, Marketing and Communication Strategy
Implementation Plan:
Set of management guidelines for the Development of Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Client: Salesian of Don Bosco
Year: September 2019 -December 2019
Project Overview:
The main purpose of the feasibility study is to analyze the current situation of the Gatenga TVET School, evaluate the financial feasibility of the project on the basis of investment estimation and expected financial performance of the project and to guide the design of the hotel and improved culinary station given the vision and main objectives of the project.
Scope of Work:
- To evaluate the location of the property and its current situation;
- To assess market potential of the proposed project, on basis of a local hotel market supply and demand analysis, as well as on the basis of local competitive set analysis;
- To recommend best-use concept for the Hotel/guest house, Culinary art center, Restaurant and Bar and advise on the facilities concept;
- To evaluate financial feasibility of the project based on standard methodology of the project evaluation process;
- On the basis of all analyses performed and evaluation of the project from market and financial point of view, to present a sound concept for the project.
Overview:
Horwath HTL has undertaken an in-depth market and financial feasibility assessment together with the valuation of the proposed resort taking into consideration the significant changes that have been caused by the global pandemic since 2020 with specific focus on the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the relevant luxury resorts during 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019. During the course of the research, we have conducted an intensive research in the field of unique resort facilities and services and provided our conceptual recommendations accordingly. Client is planning to acquire a luxury resort development project on Long Island in the Seychelles. The resort would be operated under a luxury resort brand.
Scope of Work:
Horwath HTL has been requested by the Client to revisit and update the resort development scheme and consider a wellness-focused unique attraction to make Long Island a more competitive asset given the recent and ongoing development, and prepare a market and financial feasibility and valuation report.
Status: Project Completed in 2022
Overview:
As part of the acquisition due diligence support for IHG in acquiring the Six Senses Hotel Chain, we have not only assessed the market potential of the Six Senses Felicité Island Resort in the Seychelles, but also provided financial projections to establish its estimated future profit generating ability. During the process we have also looked at various scenarios as the resort had the potential to be extended by a number of residential villas. As a result of the global due diligence, IHG successfully acquired the Six Senses Hotel Chain in 2019.
Scope of Work:
Horwath HTL Global Network was commissioned to conduct the acquisition due diligence work required on behalf of IHG in their proposed acquisition of the Six Senses Hotel Chain. As part of this global engagement, Horwath HTL Hungary, was tasked to perform the due diligence of the Six Senses Felicité Island Resort, in the Seychelles.
Status: Project Completed in 2018
Our Client, a fixed property manager to the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund, was considering an investment into a mixed-use development situated in Gaborone’s Central Business District. One of the elements incorporated in the mixed-use development was a 150-key hotel.
At the time of Horwath HTL South Africa’s appointment, the Client was contemplating the appointment of Hilton Worldwide to manage the hotel component under the Hilton Garden Inn brand. Horwath HTL’s South Africa-based office was appointed to undertake a review of the indicative financial projections prepared by Hilton Worldwide in respect of the proposed hotel component and the hotel management agreement drafted by Hilton Worldwide.
Horwath HTL Solution
Horwath HTL South Africa reviewed the indicative financial projections prepared by Hilton Worldwide and engaged with Hilton Worldwide with regard to the underlying assumptions employed in indicative financial projections. We also undertook a benchmarking exercise against known industry standards in order to confirm to the Client the reasonableness of the projections. Horwath HTL (South Africa) also reviewed and provided feedback to the Client regarding the commercial terms set forth in the management agreement presented by Hilton Worldwide.
The Client sought third party affirmation of the reasonableness of the indicative financial projections in order to motivate the investment and funding decision to their Client, the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund.
Furthermore, our Client had not previously engaged with a hotel management company and therefore sought third party review of the commercial terms outlined in the management agreement. To this end, we provided the Client with our view regarding the fairness of the management agreement, and of particular concern to the Client, was that the Client was afforded favourable terms with regard to the operator’s obligations and the owner’s rights.
Project Status
The Client entered into a management agreement with Hilton Worldwide and the Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone, which is currently under construction, is scheduled to commence operations in 2018.
Scope of Work
Horwath HTL was approached to provide independent expert advice and ascertain the feasibility through a detailed market and financial evaluation of a proposed 30-key beachfront midscale hotel development on the island of Grande Comore.
Description of Project
The hotel was part of a wider project related to expansion of the tourism sector in the Union of Comoros. The proposed site had previously had a hotel on it but this had closed down and been demolished some years before. Part of our work involved understanding why the previous hotel had closed and whether there was indeed a commercial case to be made for the proposed new venture.
This was a difficult project to assess due to the fact that the tourism sector in the Comoros was still in its infancy and the consequent lack of airlift.
We concluded, however, that subject to certain conditions, including the opening of new air routes, there was potential to develop a viable hotel and as a result of Horwath HTL’s analysis of the local hotel market and the subject site, we recommended the development of a larger scale hotel with additional facilities, which was more likely to generate profits for the developer.
Project Status
The client later decided that it should develop a mid-market 35-key hotel initially, with a view to expanding to 70-keys once business picked up.