When: 2016

Client: World Bank

Objectives of the Assignment

To build on the Vision 2025 document to create a realistic and implementable strategy together with a Four Year Action Plan (Strategic Action Plan). The guiding principles of the Strategy were to:

• position Sri Lanka as a ‘higher value’ destination;
• create memorable experiences for all visitors;
• dispel misconceptions about Sri-Lanka as a travel destination;
• ensure world class management of assets etc; and
• democratise the economic participation and impact of the tourism economy throughout all of Sri Lanka whereby the tourism sector becomes the vanguard in improving economic inclusiveness among Sri Lankans.

The post Sri Lanka Four Year Strategic Action Plan appeared first on Tony Charters.

When: 2013-2020

Client: Spicers Group

Objectives of the Assignment

To respond to a Queensland Government call for expressions of interest in ecotourism projects on National Parks. The Scenic Rim Trail concept was accepted by the Government, and a full masterplan was developed and accepted. The client then commissioned Tony Charters and Associates to undertake the detailed survey and design of the 65km walking trail and associated ecocamps, followed by the development of the DPEMP for government approval processes.

The Scenic Rim Trail provides a world-class, long-range trail linking the private conservation lands of the Spicers Group with National Parks largely within the Gondwana World Heritage Area near the border of Queensland and New South Wales. The Trail is open to the public free of charge. Paying guests of the Spicers Group are guided in small groups by expert guides.  

Open in 2020, the Trail traverses open eucalypt forest, tall open forest and rainforests of the Main Range National Park and adjoining Nature Refuges. Four luxury, but understated ecolodges located along the Trail provide walkers with the ultimate glamping experience. The trail itself was fully funded by the private sector, Turner Family Foundation, and is open to all walkers free of charge. The project opened in the difficult COVID era but immediately received very strong bookings.

The post Scenic Rim Trail Masterplan, Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan appeared first on Tony Charters.

When: 2018

Client: Royal Commission of Al Ula

Objectives of the Assignment

• Review expert inventory and planning documents already developed on Al Ula;
• Prepare the Request for Proposal document for the Tourism Management Plan;
• Prepare consultants briefing documents, consultants selection critieria, advise on potential consultancy practices;
• Participate as an expert sustainable destination developer in Visioning Workshop for Al Ula;
• Advise on tourism in World Heritage Areas; and
• Prepare Request for Proposal for Tourism in Protected Areas of Al Ula project.

The post Tourism Planning – Al Ula Royal Commission, KSA appeared first on Tony Charters.

When: 2004 – 2019

Client: World Tourism and Travel Council

Objectives of the Assignment

• Assess nominations for Tourism for Tomorrow Awards across a number of award categories;
• Participate in Judges conference for finalist selection;
• Undertake field verification assessment and reports of selected finalists;
• Participate in Global Tourism Summit as Finalist Judge.

The post Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Finalist Judging appeared first on Tony Charters.

When: 2022-2023

Client: UN-FAO

Objectives of the Assignment:

• To undertake field assessments of the Park to identify areas with strong ecotourism potential. 
• Identify and analyse the market, investment needs and opportunities.
• Develop strategies for enhancing local community participation in the ecotourism business and sustainable development of community-based ecotourism enterprises.
• Identify the best approaches to developing national and international market linkages.
• Establish sustainable design standards; and
• Develop a staged development plan

The post Withaylan National Park Ecotourism Masterplan appeared first on Tony Charters.

When: 2018 – ongoing

Client: UN-FAO, UNDP, National Centre for Vegetation Cover, Saudi Royal Reserve Authority

Objectives of the Assignment

• Identify National Parks with significant ecotourism potential and create ecotourism, geotourism and agritourism masterplans. 
• Develop policy and governance for ecotourism on National Parks
• Undertake capacity building in all aspects of sustainable tourism, ecotourism and protected area management. 
• Identify the type, level and specification requirements of facilities to be developed in each site including the sustainable architectural design concepts and graphic illustration.  
• Describe business models suitable for investments in National Parks;
• Advise on international protected area management schemes and programs such as IUCN Geen List, UNESCO World Heritage, and UNESCO Global Geoparks. 
• Develop an annual professional conference forum on Nature Destinations.

The post Ecotourism Assessment and Masterplanning for Investment in National Parks of Saudi Arabia appeared first on Tony Charters.