Solimar International - Solimar Team

Latin America

• Business Model Development for Community Tourism Network, Chiapas, Mexico

Project Partner: Chemonics International and USAID
Project Description: Evaluated the current status of community organization and developed a 12-month business plan. Assisted the organization in designing a technical assistance program to improve services among its members. (September 2006)

• Promotional Strategy Development, Panama

Project Partner: Chemonics International and USAID
Project Description: Developed a branding campaign and a Destination Management Company to help promote and sell small/micro businesses and community tourism associations in the Panama Canal Watershed. Developed a website, brochure, and an Internet marketing and public relations campaign. Provided technical assistance to a local marketing agency and local tour operator to operate the destination management company and provide marketing and consulting services to small tourism businesses. (May – August 2006)

• Marketing Program Development, Guatemala

Project Partner: Counterpart International and USAID
Project Description: Developed a community tourism marketing program for archeological sites in the jungles of the Northern Peten, Guatemala. Produced 3 print ads for local Guatemalan tourism publications, full color brochure/map guide, and a community tourism website portal. (January – March 2005)

• Tourism Assessment, Yungas Valley, Bolivia

Project Partner: Chemonics International and USAID
Project Description: Performed an assessment of the development potential for North and South Yungas provinces in Bolivia. Project goal was to define targeted opportunities for project development and assistance to create economic alternatives for coca farmers in the region. Wrote series of 15 action plans to be reviewed by USAID and the Government of Bolivia for implementation.

• Tourism Planning, Panama

Project Partner: The Government of Panama and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Project Description: Completed a detailed product development and marketing and promotion strategy for the country. Produced a detailed analysis of Panama’s product offering. Conducted more than 800 consumer and travel trade interviews in the U.S. and Western Europe. Developed detailed demographic profiles of travelers to Panama and competing destinations. Created a short and long term marketing strategy and marketing and promotion action plan.