LocationsFUT-Tourism: Rethinking Tourism
and MSMEs in times of COVID-19
PROJECT OWNER: UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
The “FUT-Tourism: Rethinking Tourism and MSMEs in times of COVID-19” project aims to
technically and financially support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that are directly or indirectly linked to the tourism sector or have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With gender equality and empowerment of women at its core, the proposal seeks to promote economic diversification, job creation and resilience with the “Blue Economy for Green Islands” approach in the tourism sector thereby boosting recovery and supporting the digitally enabled transformation of the business processes and value chains of MSMEs.
Core Elements:
1. Regional dialogue and Policy solutions for the tourism sector enhanced through sub-regional and national diagnostics using consultative and participatory approaches:
This output seeks to develop or enhance country-specific diagnostics in at least 5 countries or territories, and one sub-regional analysis for the Eastern Caribbean. This output will bring together governments, regional organisations, big tour operators and anchor companies with MSMEs and other relevant stakeholders. Consultations will provide data and compile information on the current situation, existing policies, ongoing efforts, needs, trends, scenarios and opportunities that could have a catalytic impact on the sector.
2. Technical support for MSME retooling and access to markets within tourism value chains:
Focuses on the development of environmentally sustainable value chains with an inclusive business approach where MSMEs, women-owned businesses, producers’ associations and cooperatives that operate either as suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and/or commercial channels receive the support required to adapt to the new market conditions.
3. Financial assistance for the economic recovery of MSMEs affected by the impact of COVID-19:
FUT-Tourism will provide grants to MSMEs to facilitate strategic investments and to further support resilience recovery from the impact of COVID-19. This may include investments to repurpose production facilities to manufacture high demand goods and services related to the tourism industry and/or transition from an in-person, physical interaction business model to a virtual and online one.
This article was originally published in: https://www.undp.org/barbados/fut-tourism-rethinking-tourism-and-msmes-times-covid-19
Are you passionate about the link between digitalization and sustainable development?
