Capacity building in SMALL AND MEDIUM TOURISM ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER (SMAPs)

The ongoing project “Strengthening the Capacities of SMAPs (Small and Medium Sized Accommodation Providers) in Nepal and Sri Lanka in Order to Develop New Business Opportunities through Quality Upgrade, eTourism Know-how and Networking” aims at reinforcing economic growth through capacity building and know-how transfer for SMAPs in Asia, especially in Nepal and Sri Lanka. This will be achieved by setting up a so-called “ SMAP Training Academy ” in Nepal and Sri Lanka: upgrading the product and service quality of SMAPs in the two countries, training them in information based technologies in the form of eCoaching, establishing a system of continuous education, promoting the exchange of best practice and lessons learnt between Asia-Europe and Asia-Asia respectively. Asian SMAPs will be enabled and empowered to develop their capacities and skills in order to fully take part in the tourism world market and thus make them benefit from the international trade.

The project has an Asia-wide dimension as the problems of SMAPs that are being addressed under this project are not limited to these two countries but represent a common challenge across Asia: lack of know-how, low service and product quality, low market access and internationalisation, insufficient exchange and networking possibilities etc. Besides the common content of the project, different Asian countries are involved giving them the opportunity to network and create business links. Nevertheless the major beneficiaries are the Nepalese. The model can be adapted to other Asian regions as well.

Furthermore the project promotes European know-how and technologies: Austria has got a long standing experience and successful reputation in tourism activities. This know-how shall be transferred to Asia through a partnership with two established Austrian tourism institutions. Best practices and experiences will be exchanged in the framework of trainings and working groups. Furthermore IT based solutions for the tourism sector will be introduced in the partner countries that have proven to be very successful in Europe. Additionally, the exchange of best practices and experiences is major goal of the action. This will be achieved by publishing a research study, organising a regional conference in order to disseminate results and success stories, taking part in tourism fairs, setting up a platform on the Internet and a study visit to Austria .

Hence, the specific objectives of this project are: