Detailed Project Proposal on Development of Tourism in the Javakheti National Park Support Zone

Transcription

1 Detailed Project Proposal on Development of Tourism in te Javaketi National Park Support Zone

2 Content: 1. Project Primary Information and Situational Analysis 2. Description of te Problem and Project Objectives Subsequent from te Problems 3. Project Objectives and Feasible Outcomes 4. Link between Planned Components and te Establisment of te Javaketi National Park in Georgia Project 5. Criteria and Metods for Selection of Beneficiaries 6. Number of Beneficiaries and its Substantiation in accordance wit Poverty, Gender Balance and Oter Factors 7. Project Implementation Stages and Activities 8. Project Implementation Detailed Scedule (Cart for Summarising Distribution of Activities in Timeline) 9. Detailed Budget of te Project 10. Economic Indicators and Calculation 11. Risks and Assumptions tat May Impact on Acieving Goals and Mitigation Strategies 12. Project Implementation Metodology Responsibilities of Implementing Parties 13. Substantiation of Project Sustainability 14. Efficiency Indicators of Project Implementation 15. Project Implementation Monitoring Cart and Metods 16. Additional Information 17. Appendices: Appendix 1 Study Programmes in Accordance wit Training Courses Appendix 2 Cart for Summarising Distribution of Activities in Timeline Appendix 3 - Questionnaire on Public Perception and Monitoring and Evaluation of Social Impact Appendix 4 - List of Potential Guides Appendix 5 Business Plans Appendix 6 Project Budget 2

3 1. Project Primary Information and Situational Analysis Javaketi is located in te soutern part of Georgia. Geograpically, it is located in te extreme nortern part of te country s Middle East Higland. Te nort of Javaketi is bordered by te Trialeti Ridge Slopes wile te eastern and soutern parts are surrounded by te Abul-Samsar and Javaketi Ranges wic gradually transform into Turkey s nort-eastern plateau (te Cildir Çildir Lake area). In te west, te Javaketi Range is surrounded by te deep valley of te River Kura. Te total area of te Range is approximately 700 km 2 and its absolute eigt varies from 1,500 to 3,300 metres. Javaketi is te part of istorical Mesketi (Samtske-Javaketi). It consists of two administrative territorial entities; namely, te municipalities of Ninotsminda and Akalkalaki. Tese municipalities are comprised of 98 settlements including 96 villages and two towns. Te biggest town, located in te Javaketi Range, is Akalkalaki wit a population of 12,000-15,000; Ninotsminda s population is 6,900. In te region, 80% of te population lives in rural areas. Te total number of population in tese two municipalities is 102,400 (67,300 in Akalkalaki and 35,100 in Ninotsminda). Population density may vary in accordance wit vertical zonality. Density varies from 50 to 100 persons per 1 km 2 at an altitude of 1,700-2,000 metres. Population density sligtly exceeds 15 people per 1 km 2 at an altitude iger tan 2,000 metres. In summer, te number of population of te Javaketi Higland increases since people from oter regions come ere to use te Javaketi Mountains as summer pastures. Javaketi Protected Areas, wic was legally establised in 2011, is part of te system of Protected Areas in Georgia. It was establised under te Georgian Law On te Establisment of Javaketi Protected Areas and Management and includes te following categories of Protected Areas: a. Javaketi National Park b. Kartsaki Wetland Sanctuary c. Sulda Wetland Sanctuary d. Kartsaki Lake Sanctuary e. Bugdaseni Lake Sanctuary f. Madatapa Lake Sanctuary Te establisment of Javaketi National Park was funded by KFW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) and is implemented by WWF Germany and te WWF Caucasus Programme Office of Consortium in co-operation wit te Agency of Protected Areas under te Ministry of Environment of Georgia. Te main purpose of te establisment of te Javaketi Protected Areas is to protect te representative sections of te Javaketi Mountain ecosystems and wetlands. Reserves are created to protect te lakes and marses wic are separated from te Park. Te Park and te Reserves include important abitats of flora and fauna and are eco-regionally and internationally important resting places for migratory birds. Te tird most important route of migratory birds in te Caucasus passes troug tis area (oter routes are te Caspian Sea and te Black Sea). Te establisment of Protected Areas ecoes te requirements of te Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), wic 3

4 Georgia joined in 1994, and te obligations under te Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially Territories Suitable for Water Birds (te Ramsar Convention; Georgia joined in 1997). Te Javaketi Protected Areas Supporting Zone as ten villages: six are located in te Municipality of Akalkalaki and four are located in te Municipality of Ninotsminda (see Table 1). Te number of population of tese ten settlements is 4,750, wic includes 1,732 ouseolds. Te largest village is Sulda, followed in size by Kartsaki and Dadesi, all of wic are located in te Municipality of Akalkalaki. Table 1. Number of Population in Javaketi Protected Areas Support Zone Name Registered population Number of registered ouseolds Akalkalaki Municipality (villages from Javaketi Protected Area Supporting Zone only) Sulda 1, Miasnikiani Bozali Dadesi Kartsaki Filipovka Ninotsminda Municipality (villages from Javaketi Protected Area Supporting Zone only) Patara Kancali Epremovka Zdanovo Sameba Total 4,750 1,732 Te population of target villages amounts to some 1,700 ouseolds, wic is around 4,700 persons of wom 859 are pensioners and about 1,040 are cildren. 4

5 Distribution of Population by Age Groups Pensioners, 18% Able-bodied population, 60% Under 18 years of age, 22% Only a very small percentage of te population capable for work is officially employed wit te majority of tem in positions of teacers and representatives of territorial bodies. A small part of te population as small businesses suc as grocery sops and milk production businesses, amongst oters. Te remaining part of te population, not considering tose wo ave left teir places of residence for temporary employment elsewere, are considered as self-employed. Employment Temporary employment, 1% Employed, 9% Private business, 1% Self-employed, 89% Of tose identified as self-employed, tese members of te population are working in te agricultural sector wic is te leading sector of te region. Farming largely depends upon te location of te village above sea-level. Cattle-breeding, cultivation of potatoes and grain crops and oney production are te most typical economic activities of te local people. Table 2. Data on Gender, Age and Educational Level of te Population Number of Persons 4,750 Men 2,288 Women 2,462 5

6 Retired of bot sexes 846 Aged 0-16 years 1,038 Aged years 2,869 Employed 201 Self-employed 2,641 Outside workers 20 Own business 17 Secondary scool 3,246 Graduate 286 Students 86 Te Javaketi Protected Areas and te Support Zone villages are located close to te Armenian and Turkis borders. Te sortest igway from Tbilisi to Javaketi runs sout-west troug Manglisi and Tsalka wic enables visitors to reac te region from te capital in two to two-and-aalf ours. Tis is te same distance as from Tbilisi to Telavi and from Tbilisi to Kazbegi were local and foreign tourists often go for one-day or two-day tours on weekends. Javaketi is connected wit te Ajara Region by te Goderdzi Pass. Reabilitation of te igway is planned in te nearest future wit te support of te Millennium Callenge project. After its completion and in addition to te Tbilisi-Batumi igway, an additional igway will run troug te vicinities of te planned protected area; specifically, troug Ninotsminda and Akalkalaki. Te roads connecting Georgia-Armenia and Georgia-Turkey run troug te Javaketi territory. Te names of te border posts are as follows: Ninotsminda (Bavra) Georgia-Armenia crossing Kartsaki future border post of Georgia-Turkey (presently not functioning; set to start operation by 2014) Tere are tree possible routes to travel from te capital to te region as follows: Tbilisi-Manglisi-Tsalka-Ninotsminda: 180 km Tbilisi-Kasuri-Borjomi-Akaltsike-Akalkalaki: 293 km Tbilisi-Kasuri-Borjomi-Bakuriani-Tabatskuri-Akalkalaki: 253 km Te distance from Javaketi administrative centres to te larger towns and cities of West Georgia does not exceed 270 km: Akalkalaki-Kasuri-Kutaisi: 210 km Akalkalaki-Kutaisi-Batumi: 370 km Akalkalaki-Adigeni-Kulo-Batumi: 165 km Te distance from Javaketi administrative centres to te boundaries of neigbouring countries does not exceed 80 km: Akalkalaki-Ninotsminda (Bavra): 50 km Akalkalaki-Kartsaki: 30 km 6

7 Akalkalaki-Vale: 80 km Tis project proposal is result of a participatory planning process wic was started in 2009 witin te Support Zone Development Plan elaboration process. Communities gave a ig priority to te development of eco-tourism. Te WWF, terefore, conducted a feasibility study in 2011 and developed tis current project proposal in close consultation wit te target communities. Te communities sowed a ig level of commitment for developing eco-tourism in te region and considered it as a good potential for diversifying teir sources of income and livelioods. Tis process, owever, also revealed tat tere is a strong need for trainings in different fields wic is reflected in te training component of tis proposal. In te course of project implementation, additional training needs may appear and so te training package may be adjusted during te implementation. In order to formalise te commitment of te beneficiaries, MoUs will be signed detailing tasks, responsibilities, te contribution of beneficiaries and, finally, te and-over procedures of equipment and construction work. 2. Description of te Problem and Project Objectives Subsequent from te Problems Traditionally, te Javaketi area is used for pasture wit te locals depending upon farming as te primary source of teir livelioods. Te region is particularly suitable for growing vegetables and fruit. Apiculture is relatively developed and farming is very widespread but incomes remain at a level wic is insufficient for making a decent standard of living. Money-commodity relations are very weak in te target region. Te locals get teir necessary products mainly troug barter excange. A situation suc as tis, terefore, makes te local population dependent upon natural resources including tose resources from te Javaketi National Park. Te establisment of te National Park is connected to some restriction on te use of natural resources from te side of te local population wic may cause conflict between te Park and te residents. As a result and in consideration, te local population sould be given te opportunity to ave alternative sources of income. Worldwide, eco-tourism and its related services are one of te most important alternative sources of income and employment opportunities for people living near national parks. Te Javaketi National Park, wic will protect te area s flora and fauna as well as te unique mountain steppes, alpine lakes and wetlands, as te potential for te development of eco-tourism. Te main objective of te Development of te Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone programme, terefore, is as follows: To promote economic development and sustainable livelioods for te population of te Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone and ensure te use of touristrecreation resources of Javaketi Protected Areas. 3. Project Objectives and Feasible Outcomes 7

8 3.1. Objectives 1. Support te local population of te Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone villages to establis guestouses in a locally embedded style offering a real alternative to existing accommodation facilities. 2. Support te local population of te Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone villages to establis orse rental points. 3. Establis market places nearby te Javaketi National Park at te main igway. 4. Establis women s social enterprise in te village of Dadesi Improve te skills of local residents in tourism business and marketing. 6. Improve te skills of local residents in producing safe dairy products Feasible Outcomes Tis project aims to create a precedent of successful tourism business (e.g., guestouse or orse rental point) in Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone. It is expected tat te ideas will be replicated by oter community members witin a four-to-five year period and similar businesses will be launced. It is expected tat te environment will benefit troug te increased awareness of local residents and te liveliood diversification decreasing te pressure upon te natural resource base Feasible Sort-Term Outcomes Tree guestouses will be establised in te Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone villages. One orse rental point will be establised in te Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone villages. Two market places will be establised nearby te Javaketi National Park at te main igway. Women s social enterprise will be establised in te village of Dadesi were at an initial stage at least ten women will be employed. Support can be extended for andicrafts production or food processing. Local residents involved in tourism will gain knowledge in running tourism businesses troug a training package tailored to te need of te various population groups. Local population will see te benefit in te preservation of te Javaketi National Park troug better income opportunities generated by te Park. Employment opportunities will increase tereby generating additional income Feasible Long-Term Outcomes 1 Te idea to spread te benefits of te project to a larger group troug te establisment women s social enterprise came at a late stage of te project designing and was not a part of te feasibility study. Te development of a concept for suc enterprise including a business plan and training needs will be part of te tender process. 8

9 Te project will contribute to fairer income opportunities in te Javaketi National Park Support Zone. Tourism will create jobs in te local tourism sector as well as in related sectors. Tourism will contribute to facilitating its domestic sectors: guestouses and accommodations, restaurants and catering facilities, transport systems, crafts, tours and informational centres, as examples. Tourism will attract investments in te region. It will also promote local economic diversification systems wit income opportunities trougout te year. Sustainable tourism will contribute to te participatory decision-making process. Tis will contribute towards a armony between tourism and resource users. Sustainable tourism means planning and zoning wic will define a limited number of tourists in accordance wit te eco-system. Tourism will facilitate local infrastructure: transport means, telecommunications and oter basic infrastructure parts. Ecologically sustainable tourism will underline te importance of te natural and cultural resources of te Javaketi Protected Areas in te economic and social development process of te region and contribute to teir protection. 4. Link between Planned Components and te Establisment of te Javaketi National Park in Georgia Project Modern approaces to te establisment of te Javaketi National Park and its management include not only acieving pure conservative objectives but also taking care of te socio-economic development of te area s residents. Te practice of management of Protected Areas in Georgia sows tat te objectives are successfully acieved only if te local people ave economic interests and express teir support for te existence of tese said areas. One of te most important directions, terefore, is to contribute to te development of eco-tourism in te Supporting Zone and to facilitate te involvement of te local population witin. It is key for te successful implementation of te project tat it is as inclusive as possible. Te Tuseti National Park can be considered as Georgia s best example of tis practice. Te tourism development component sould undertake te mission tat te local population will be involved in tourism and te residents will recognise and understand tat te Javaketi National Park s natural resources and conservation importance will ensure te success of teir own tourism businesses. 5. Criteria and Metods for Selection of Beneficiaries Field trips were planned and conducted for te selection of project beneficiaries. Target villages were observed during tese visits and sites for guestouses and market places were selected. Te criteria for selecting potential guestouses included: te ouse s geograpical location, its appearance, its distance from te central igway and its ease of access for visitors. Te metod for selecting orse rental points involved interviewing local residents during informal community gaterings te so-called birza in order to identify orse owners. Interviews at te birza were also used for te selection of sites for market places. Discussions about te establisment and maintenance of market places were also undertaken at suc informal meetings. 9

10 Following te initial meetings, a feasibility study was conducted in te selected areas in wic 51 local families were interviewed. Te questionnaire criteria were based upon te goal of getting closer to te standards of rural and small town guestouses. Te questionnaire was prepared by te Elkana Biological Farming Association under te commission of EuroGites and te Polis Agro-Tourist Federation. Te Elkana Association as been successfully using tis model in Georgia for several years in order to evaluate otels and guestouses including witin te Samtske-Javaketi Region. Te evaluation of a guestouse was based upon te following criteria in addition to visual surveillance of its geograpical parameters: House owner s willingness to establis a guestouses facility in is own ouse. Availability of a water supply system. Existence of at least two separate rooms. Family members knowledge of foreign languages at a communicational level. Willingness to contribute financially and or oter materials towards project implementation and troug donated labour force. In addition, te following points were observed and noted by te consultant taking te interview and completing te assessment questionnaire during te process of selecting a potential participant: environment (specifically, noise and activity levels), te owner s public, cultural and environmental protection responsibilities and te potential and abilities of te ostess to receive guests and provide proper personal attention alongside te prospect for te development of te Park s basic infrastructure. Te selection and evaluation of a orse rental point was based upon te following criteria: Willingness to establis orse rental points. Number of orses owned. Number of orses in te neigbourood wic can be rented and willingness to collaborate wit oter members of te community. Knowledge of foreign languages at a communicational level. Willingness of family members to work as guides or provide oter related tourism services. Willingness to contribute financially and or oter materials towards project implementation and troug donated labour force. Additional criteria witin tis particular selection and evaluation included te rental point s suitable location to te Javaketi Protected Areas System (JPAS). Owing to te fact tat rural population as a limited number of orses (te area as a maximum of four animals), it is advisable tat te orse rental point owner collaborate wit oter community members and rent orses from tem to supplement tis number. 10

11 6. Number of Beneficiaries and its Substantiation in accordance wit Poverty, Gender Balance and Oter Factors During elaboration process of tis project, potential villages and beneficiaries were identified, owever te implementing organization is free to select oter villages 1 and beneficiaries wo greater meet te selection criteria. Supporting Zone villages: Kartsaki, Sulda and Epremovka were selected for te establisment of guestouses. Te village of Zdanovo was selected for te establisment of a orse rental point. Te feasibility study revealed tat a sufficient number of orses may not be available in te villages in wic te guestouses are planned to be establised. During project implementation, a study will be made as to weter or not te orse rental point still can be located close to a village wit a guestouse, suc as Sulda, troug partnersips wit several oter orse owners Guestouses Housing in te project region is generally poor and will not meet basic expectations of visitors and tourists. Investments, terefore, are required to offer visitors a minimum standard of comfort. It is expected tat overnigt facilities will attract visitors to te villages wit overall positive impact upon and for te communities. Potential beneficiary in te Village Kartsaki, Akalkalaki Municipality GenzelAbagian Two family members will be involved in te guestouse business and will serve visitors wit te assistance of ired labour. Tey will need to ire at least one woman. Te family s farming is limited and so tey will purcase food products from neigbouring families wic will increase te income of te neigbouring families as well. Investment necessary for ouse repairing activities = 20,000 GEL Number of direct beneficiaries = 3 Amongst female = 2 Number of indirect beneficiaries = 3 families (10 people) Village Sulda, Akalkalaki Municipality Silvart Apoian Two adult family members will be involved in providing visitor service as well as two members of Apoian s broter s family wo will be used as additional labour force and will work as guides. Investment necessary for ouse repairing activities = 30,000 GEL Number of direct beneficiaries = 6 Amongst female = 2 Village Epremovka, Ninotsminda Municipality 1 Te implementing organization sould consider, tat only support zone villages are eligible for implementation of te project: Sulda, Miasnikiani, Bozali, Dadesi, Kartsaki, Filipovka, Patara Kancali, Jdanovo, Efremovka, Sameba

12 Baikal Tsarukian Two family members will be involved in te tourism business. Tey will need te elp of teir neigbours in renting orses and in providing guide services. Tsarukian can ire up to seven-toeigt people upon an as-needed basis. Investment necessary for ouse repairing activities = 700 GEL Number of direct beneficiaries = 3 Amongst female = 1 Number of indirect beneficiaries = Horse Rental Point Village Zdanovo, Ninotsminda Municipality Ervand Sumbulian Sumbulian is a young man wo owns tree orses. He will be te owner of te orse rental point and registered as a sole proprietor. In cases wen more tan tree orses will be needed, is uncle, living in te adjacent village of Sameba and owning four orses, will assist im in tis tourism service. For bigger groups (more tan seven persons), more orses are available in te neigbourood wic can be rented from neigbours. Sumbulian will negotiate and make agreements wit is neigbours upon an as-needed basis. Generated income will be distributed accordingly between all parties involved. Sumbulian and is uncle will provide te guide services and two women from teir families can be employed in serving meals for visitors, as required. Te project will purcase orse gear wic will be owned by te National Park wic can be rented to Sumbulian for a small fee. All of te abovementioned beneficiaries ave te motivation and te intellectual potential to obtain te knowledge and information needed to run teir businesses. Necessary investment for equipment = 3,500 EUR Number of beneficiaries = 4 Amongst female = Establisment of Market Places Market places will be establised at two sites; specifically, along te roadways going to Kartsaki and Zdanovo. Te local government will undertake te obligation to maintain and support te markets. Similar experiences of market place operation and maintenance exist at te Rikoti Pass and in Kertvisi (please see Appendix 8 Market Places Operation Plan). It is also possible to carge a nominal fee (in te form of rent) from te population for using te market places. A group of representatives from te local population will be created in order to monitor and ensure te maintenance of te market sites as a means of involving residents in te decision-making processes. Te group could organise and administer a cost-recovery mecanism, for example, or oversee te maintenance of te market place. Along wit te local autorities, tey can also regulate te access of residents to te market places and oversee and control onsite activities.

13 Te Beekeepers Association (to be establised witin te framework of anoter sub-component of te overall project) will ave access to te market places to market teir products. In te case if a women s social enterprise is created, te products or goods produced will also be able to be sold at te market places. Te following requirements ave been establised for products selected for sale at te market places: Te product is of local common origin but special and unique for visitors. Te product is intended to be purcased directly from te manufacturer. Te product is distinguised by its quality and special features of te region. Te product producing process is based upon principles of sustainable resource use and does not damage or pollute te environment. Generally, te market places sould be open to all wo ave te abovementioned products for sale. Tese markets will be of special interest for te rural poor wo usually do not produce enoug products or goods for commercial markets. Te market places can also serve as a driver to bring producers togeter to jointly market teir products in urban centres, eiter independently or troug a service provider. Synergies migt allow tem to directly transport teir products to te centres witout te involvement of wolesalers. 7. Project Implementation Stages and Activities Te project will be implemented in two stages. At te first stage, an Implementing Partner wit relevant experience will be selected troug a competitive bidding process in order to implement te tourism components (administration). Te Implementing Partner will furter sub-contract local entrepreneurs wo will establis guestouses in te selected ouses and make arrangements for te actual repair work. At te second stage, all activities will be implemented in accordance wit plans (please see Appendix 2 - Cart for Summarising Distribution of Activities in timeline). 8. Project Implementation Detailed Scedule (Cart for Summarising Distribution of Activities in Timeline) Please see Appendix Detailed Budget of te Project Please see Annex Economic Indicators and Calculation Featured in Business Plans. Please see Appendix Risks tat May Impact on Acieving Goals and Mitigation Strategies Risks: 13

14 Inadequate expectation of te beneficiaries of te rapid and enormous profits tat can inspire niilism; te project will try to spread benefits as muc as possible in order to mitigate suc risk. Distrust of local residents wit regard to objectives of eco-tourism. Economic instability in te world and in Georgia. Hig competition witin te country and in neigbouring countries. Low level of education and awareness of te local population. Disturbing animals and birds. Dissatisfaction by te tourists of te local population. Disrespecting local customs and abits. Risk mitigation strategy: Information provided to te local population about possible business development scenarios and potential revenues based upon existing experience from oter regions of Georgia. Study tours of beneficiaries to oter regions of Georgia wic give possibility to see and to obtain information from beneficiaries of oter regions concerning te benefits resulting from of eco-tourism development. Intensive trainings, study tours and co-operation wit te project and National Park (NP) administration are key to te awareness raising and education of local people. Information in ecological issues as well as local customs and abits provided to tourists. Socalled Info Desks will be set up at te National Park were instructions for tourists will be placed. Publising a leaflet wit relevant information for tourists is also recommended. Park administration sould also be responsible for informing tourists. 12. Project Implementation Metodology Responsibilities of Implementing Parties An organisation wit proven qualifications will be selected for te implementation of tis component of te project based upon an open tender process. Under project implementation te selected organisation will ensure: 1. Implementation of activities necessary for guestouse repair work and provide necessary equipment. 2. Legal registration of guestouses and orse rental point. 3. Provide owners (personnel) wit trainings in service standards and running businesses. 4. Trainings for guides and facilitating communicate between tem and te guestouses and tourist companies. 5. Signing te Memorandum of Mutual Co-operation between project beneficiaries and te administration of te Javaketi Protected Areas. 6. Establisment of market places 2 and connecting and involving local residents in te planning and operation of te market places. 2 For te purposes of economising witin te budget, te expenses necessary for te establisment of market places will become a component of te construction of te Javaketi National Park infrastructure and will be assigned to te same company. 14

15 Te project s implementing organisation, in collaboration wit te WWF and te APA, will use te following metodology approaces and consider te following principles in conducting its activities witin te project: Increase of awareness wic means intensive trainings, consultations and coacing activities for beneficiaries to ensure te project s success and sustainability of te investment. Participatory planning consideration of te interested parties opinions and teir involvement in te planning, implementation and monitoring processes. Herein, te implementing organisation ensures te active participation of te public and initiates co-operation between local people, local government and park administration for eco-tourism development. Openness and publicity of activities: information regarding project implementation (financial and metodological) will be available for main stakeolders and will be presented to local communities upon a regular basis. 13. Substantiation of Project Sustainability Te overall positive development and growt rates of te tourism sector in Georgia are key for te project s sustainability. 3 It is expected, terefore, tat te demand for tourist infrastructure and services will also grow in te Javaketi Protected Areas. Te villages were te project plans to invest (along main roads Armenia-Georgia, Turkey-Georgia) are located in favourable locations for suc tourism business since it can be also expected tat travellers using tese routes ave te potential to also become customers of te tourism services. Te overall positive development of te tourism sector in Georgia as substantiated above will contribute to te sustainability of te interventions. Given te current poor ousing conditions in rural Georgia, owever, cost-intensive investments will be necessary to establis guestouses wit at least a decent comfort standard. Te project will try to minimise suc investment costs by using local ouses, labour force and material. As for construction work, local companies will be contracted and furniture procured from local carpenters and blacksmits in order to inject money into te local economy and spread te benefits of te project. Te local people use orses as work animals and so te orse rental point will be establised based upon te existing orse base. Establising a orse rental point does not imply canging te role of te orses as te owners can use tem for labour purposes wen tey are free and rent tem wen tere is te tourist demand. Bot services, especially at te initial stage of development, sould not be understood if tourism is to become te main source of income for te local residents. At tis stage, development of tourism in te target region will provide an additional source of income for te local population and contribute to te strengtening of commodity-money relations in te region. In accordance wit te development of te country and te growt of regional popularity, tis sector will become te main source of income for some of te local residents witin te next four-to-five

16 years, as envisaged, and will facilitate te development of traditional sectors of economy under te multiplier effect wic will also ensure te creation of new sectors. As for market places, teir purpose is to offer local products for sale and increase te income for all social strata of te local population. Te population supports tis direction of te project. At te first stage, market place customers will be primarily visitors wo come to Georgia from Armenia. Te dynamics of te tourist number coming from Armenia is incremental. In accordance wit te data of te Georgian National Tourism Agency, for example, almost 300,000 people entered Georgia in 2011 at te Ninotsminda (Sameba) border point wit a similar number also aving left te country at tat same border point. In future, after te opening of te Kartsaki border point, visitors will be arriving from Turkey (local residents ave already mentioned tat tey meet a great many cycling tourists from Turkey). All incoming and outgoing visitors can be considered as potential customers of te market places. Success of te market place near of te Kartsaki Lake, will depend upon te opening of te border point and operation of te Javaketi National Park infrastructure. 14. Efficiency Indicators of Project Implementation Te following quantitative and qualitative indicators sould be used for te evaluation of te effectiveness of project implementation: Tree guestouses in local traditional style are establised and properly operational. A women s social enterprise is establised in te village of Dadesi wit ten women employed. At least 150 beneficiaries are provided wit services, consulting and trainings. Te orse rental point already exists and as signed te agreement (about providing service to tourists in te Javaketi National Park) wit te Agency of Protected Areas. Five guides are trained and qualified and offer teir services in te National Park. Two market places are establised and operating were products produced by at least 40 ouseolds are offered; a cost-recovery mecanism for running and maintaining te places as been tested and introduced. Beneficiaries ave already contributed to offering tourist services. At least one foreign and ten local tourist companies ave reflected local tour-products in teir offers. Collaboration between te Park administration and people offering tourist services is enanced Project Implementation Monitoring Cart and Metods Te purpose of project monitoring is to ensure compliance of project progress wit te project plan. Monitoring results will be used as a final evaluation of te project. During te monitoring, significant attention will be devoted to study te issues as follows: deadlines for and quality of implementation 16

17 of actual activities, direct and indirect effects and impacts, evaluation of project sustainability and recommendations and proposals for te implementing (administrator) organisation. Project monitoring will be carried out in two stages: te first will take place upon te completion of Stage 1 and te second will take place wen te project is finised. Monitoring will consider te evaluation of field activities as well as te verification of financial data. Te project implementer will inform te client in writing or verbally about te completion of eac stage and te beginning of a new one. Te quality of te construction work will be cecked upon completion by an independent superintendence firm. Te project s final assessment, wen direct and indirect effects ave been verified, will be conducted by te donor. Selected appropriate indicators will be cecked by means of interviews and survey questionnaires (wit randomly selected informants) as te monitoring metodology in order to identify te effectiveness of project implementation and targeting te following groups: Beneficiaries Representatives of local autorities Population of target villages Monitoring will be conducted by te project implementing agency in co-operation wit te Javaketi National Park administration in te second year wit long-term monitoring done by Park administration. Evaluation criteria of success and monitoring questionnaires about socio-economic sustainability and te attitudes of te local population will be used in te monitoring process. Tese questionnaires are used by units of te Agency of Protected Areas (please see Appendix 3). 16. Additional Information 16.1 Logistical aspects During project implementation, te geograpical and climatic conditions of te target region mean tat construction and repair work can only be started from te of May. By tis time of period, te sortest road (Tbilisi-Tsalka-Ninotsminda), wic connects te region to te capital, will be open and, as suc, ave a significant impact upon reducing transportation costs of te materials needed for project implementation Potos Please see attaced CD General information related to te mentioned sectors Please see te document entitled Feasibility Study on Relevance of Tourism Development Trends in te Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone. 17

18 16.4 Oter projects in te same sector wic can be used for saring of experience or collaboration Projects supporting te business initiatives of local residents are being implemented in various regions of Georgia and in te buffer zones of Protected Areas. Amongst te most successful projects are: eco-tourism and local industry development projects implemented in te Tuseti, Lagodeki, Borjomi-Karagauli and Mtirala Protected Areas. In terms of saring experience, te Elkana Association s project on te development of tourism is very important. Samtske-Javaketi is one of its target regions. It is expected tat guestouses wic will be establised in Javaketi will be publised by Elkana in an annual guestouse catalogue. Te organization can also provide te information on te website: Considering te fact tat Elkana is a member of various international organisations (IFOAM, GENET, etc.), information posted on tis website will reac a wide audience Wy te locals cannot solve/eradicate te problems temselves and weter tere are any attempts (from wom) applied (successfully or unsuccessfully) Te local living conditions are very low wit te population in poverty and witout opportunities for saving money or investing in entrepreneurial activities. As far as te locals up until only recently ave not spoken te state language, te region as unfortunately been isolated from te rest of te country for tis reason. Te population in general still suffers from a lack of information and a low level of education. Despite te fact tat tere is information tat various international organisations are carrying out activities in tis region, respondents could not remember any of tem wen questioned during field interviews. Te experience of oter protected areas sows tat some financial support is important at te initial stage for te development of tourism and local farming Successfully implemented similar projects in similar areas Identical projects along wit te establisment of protected areas in various regions of Georgia ave been implemented in buffers zones. Te Tuseti Protected Areas can be used as an example. Before te establisment of te National Park, tere was only one guestouse operating in tis region. Witin te framework of te Tuseti National Park Establisment project, guestouses, orse rental points, traditional andicrafts and development centres were financed at seven sites in te region, all of wic are operating successfully. Many local residents used te successful business as examples and establised guestouses wit teir own efforts and resources. Tis is also expected in Javaketi. In accordance wit te data of te Tuseti Protected Areas administration, tere are 34 guestouses serving visitors in Tuseti. 18

19 Te Tuseti Protected Areas administration carried out various activities in co-operation wit its business association in te following fields: marketing, development of service and creation of tourism products. Tuseti is fift place of te World s Top Ten Best Unknown Places publised by Yaoo Travel and CNN. 4 Recommendations are for te project s implementing agency to organise an introductory tour of te beneficiaries in te Tuseti Protected Areas Oter alternatives Alternatives are discussed in te analysis of oter Potential Tourism Trends Capter 6 of te Feasibility Study on Promotion of Tourism in te Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone Villages document Criteria wic sould be met/fulfilled before investment Before investing in guestouses and te orse rental point, te owners will give warranties on teir financial and material contributions. Te exact amount of participation will be identified and Memoranda of Co-operation will be signed between Javaketi Protected Areas administration and beneficiaries. 4 ttp://travel.yaoo.com/p-interests ;_ylt=ak6ixkmphtohyvwukz1fetqpyma ttp://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/06/travel/12-best-places-bt/index.tml 5 S. Tvaradze, Feasibility Study on Promotion of Tourism in te Javaketi National Park Supporting Zone Villages, WWF Germany,

20 Appendix 1 Study Programmes in Accordance wit Training Courses Training Summary 2 # Section of Budget / Unit of Procurement Amount (GEL) Syllabus 1 34 Basics of Protected Areas and Tourism, 1 day - 8 ours* 1.1. Trainer's salary (1 our x 40.0 GEL x 8 ours) 1.2. Prepare training and-outs Lunc for 25 participants (25*7) 1.4. Trainer's travel and accommodation expenses (Tbilisi-Akalkalaki-Tbilisi 17.0 x 2 x 1 person + 2 nigts accommodation x 60.0) 1.5 Participants' travel (25 participants x 10 GEL x 2 days) 320 Zoning of protected areas Essence, goals and objectives of te protected areas Regulation: legal foundation, borders, te role of te local community, te regulatory basis Te main concepts: (1) operational plan, (2) allowed number of tourists, (3) limits of permissible ascendency, (4) legislation on protected areas of Georgia, (5) conservation of biodiversity, (6) sustainable use and (7) sustainable income Classification of protected areas in accordance wit IUCN Tourism: (1) economic importance, (2) tourism products, (3) tourists interests Target Group Guestouses, orse rental point, Javaketi National Park administration, local guides, interested representatives of te community. In total, 25 participants. Total ( in GEL) Prices of trainings can be canged according to implementing organization s view

21 # Section of Budget / Unit of Procurement Amount (GEL) Syllabus Target Group 2 Visitors Service and Guide Service, 2 days - 16 ours 2.1. Trainer's salary (1 our x 640 Preparation for receiving visitors, information about visitors: 40.0 GEL x 16 ours) origins, special requirement for food, medical data, interests, list of obligations tat sould be fulfilled wit te tourist groups Preparation for tour, meeting and greeting visitors, introduce tourists to rules of local conduct, prepare a scedule for tourists, select routes, evening entertainment programmes, logistical support Services for tourists, guide service: information and briefings before and during te trip, surprise and astonisment factor during planning, arrival/departure Evaluation, data collection and management after tourists leave, self-assessment and tourist questionnaires Set up programmes in accordance wit tourist interests, tell interesting stories to tourist groups, introduce istoric places to groups, informational sessions on strategy on Javaketi Protected Areas Interpretation, iking trails guidance, layout and images of iking trails on te map, selection of interesting points, preparing interesting information about eac point, putting interesting places on te map and planning access trail, preparing field guide for trails, preparing signs and numbers of interesting places Guestouses, orse rental point, Javaketi National Park administration, local guides. In total, 20 participants Lunc for participants ( persons x 7.0 GEL x 2 days) 2.3. Prepare training and-outs Trainer's travel and 274 accommodation expenses (Tbilisi-Akalkalaki-Tbilisi 17.0 x 2 x 1 person + 4 nigts accommodation x 60.0) 2.5. Participants' travel (20 participants x 10 GEL x

22 days) Total ( in GEL)

23 # Section of Budget / Unit of Procurement Amount (GEL) Syllabus 3 Interpretation, 1 day - 8 ours 3.1. Trainer's salary (1 our x 320 How to demonstrate ospitability 40.0 GEL x 8 ours) How to select and conduct interesting evening entertainment 3.2. Lunc for participants ( programmes for tourists at te Tourist Centre participants x 7.0 GEL x 1 Management of interpretation trails and prepare informational booklets day) How to select a tour and prepare an illustrated text wit explanations 3.3. Prepare training and-outs Trainer's travel and 154 accommodation expenses (Tbilisi-Akalkalaki-Tbilisi 17.0 x 2 x 1 person + 2 nigts accommodation X 60.0) 3.5. Travel expenses of 150 participants (15 participants X10) Total ( in GEL) Guide / Equipment, 2 days - 16 ours 4.1. Trainer's salary (1 our x Routes planning 40.0 GEL x 16 ours) wat is a good guide? 4.2. Lunc for participants ( participants x 7.0 GEL x 2 days) 4.3. Prepare training and-outs Trainer's travel and accommodation expenses (Tbilisi-Akalkalaki-Tbilisi 17.0 x 2 x 1 person + 3 nigts accommodation x 60.0) 214 draw up an agenda for groups menu planning budget and scedule planning (logistics) prepare a cecklist for equipment safety issues legal obligations of a guide prepare meals, packaging and storage break planning during trips Special activities planning Take notes about events Target Group Guestouses, orse rental point, Javaketi National Park administration, local guides. In total, 15 participants. Guestouses, orse rental point, Javaketi National Park administration, local guides. In total, 15 participants. 23

24 4.5. Travel expenses of participants (15 participants x 10 x 2 days) 300 Draw up a questionnaire to evaluate te trip 2. Practical classes Guide a trip Assignment: prepare two tree-day tours for a group of six persons; te tour sould include iking and orse riding Play te role of a guide during trips Total ( in GEL) 1294 # Section of Budget / Unit of Procurement Amount (GEL) Syllabus 5 First Aid in Field Conditions, 2.5 days - 20 ours 5.1. Trainer's salary (1 our x 40.0 GEL x 20 ours) 5.2. Lunc for participants (15 participants x 7.0 GEL x 3 days) 800 Providing first aid in field conditions means to care for a patient in a nonstandard situation. Te field leader s responsibilities are very important wen dealing wit providing first aid in te field were te environment contains some risks. Content: Body s major systems omeostasis Prepare training and-outs Trainer's travel and accommodation expenses (Tbilisi-Akalkalaki-Tbilisi 17.0 x 2 x 1 person + 3 nigts accommodation x 60.0) 214 Sock and its management in te field Principles of actions in special circumstances Access to primary medical examination Secondary medical examination (overall estimation) Respiratory tracts obstruction (in adults, cildren and infants) Carry out artificial respiration (in adults, cildren and infants) Reanimation and cordial massage (in adults, cildren and infants) Reanimation and cordial massage in te field First aid kit and equipment Disinfection of water in te field Soft tissue injuries (wounds and disinfection, burns and ulcers) Head and spine injuries (stagnancy and evacuation issues) Minor ead injuries ( eyes, ears, nose, mout, teet) Locomotive system injuries (tension, wrenc, cracks, reduction and improvised fixation) Oter problems: poisoning, allergic reactions, attacks, diabetes, paralysis, stomac-intensive and abdominal problems) Problems caused by environmental factors (termoregulation ypotermia and ypertermia, frostbite, water caused problems, ligtning strike) Secondary medical aid and evacuation (by land, water and air transport) Field safety issues Target Group Guestouses, orse rental point, Javaketi National Park administration, local guides. In total, 15 participants. 24

25 5.5. Travel expenses of participants (15 participants x 10 GEL x 3 days) Total ( in GEL) Closure of te course and tests for participants Field practice: wildlife trip (overnigt in accordance wit te scenario) 25

26 # Section of Budget / Unit of Procurement Amount (GEL) Syllabus 6 Marketing and Sales, 1 day - 8 ours 6.1. Trainer's salary (1 our x 320 Basics of marketing 40.0 GEL x 8 ours) Marketing tendencies of international tourism Lunc for participants ( Metods of retail sales participants x 7.0 GEL x 1 day) 6.3. Prepare training and-outs Trainer's travel and 154 accommodation expenses (Tbilisi-Akalkalaki-Tbilisi 17.0 x 2 x 1 person + 2 nigts accommodation x 60.0) 6.5. Travel expenses of 250 participants (25 participants x 10 GEL x 1 day) Total ( in GEL) Rural Tourism, 3 days - 24 ours 7.1. Trainer's salary (1 our x Development of rural tourism, tourism expenditures, tourism trends and GEL x 24 ours) products 7.2. Lunc for participants ( Types of guestouses and teir functions, offering accommodations to participants x 7.0 GEL x 3 a tourist or a group of tourists days) 3. Use of local resources for tourism development 7.3. Prepare training and-outs Enterprise financial management and analysis, micro credits, 7.4. Trainer's travel and 402 accounting principles accommodation expenses 5. Registration of private enterprises, business management principles (Tbilisi-Akalkalaki-Tbilisi 6. Interiors of ouse and guestouse, etnograpic spaces, andicrafts 17.0 x 2 x 3 persons Standards and minimum requirements for guestouses nigts accommodation x 8. Decorative garden and its planning; exterior of ouses and 60.0) guestouses, decorative space in te yard, plants 7.5. Travel expenses of Caracteristics of food services participants (25 participants x 10. Additional services, co-operation wit tour operators and agencies, 10 GEL x 3 days) tourist offers Total ( in GEL) 2737 Target Group Representatives of local guestouses, orse rental point and Dadesi women s social enterprise, staff from Javaketi National Park administration, local guides. In total, 25 people. Representatives of local guestouses, orse rental point and Dadesi women s social enterprise, staff from Javaketi National Park administration, local guides. In total, 25 people. 26