... El Gemal will be refurbished by the VeronalandCompany as an âecocentreâ .... related to this mission shall be stored in secured places (laptops protected with ...
ECOTOURISM IN WADI EL GEMAL NATIONAL PARK PROJECT
Evaluation Plan for Sustainable Ecotourism Development in Wadi El Gemal National Park Project
Submitted By Mahmoud Sarhan
Ecotourism in Wadi El Gemal National Park Project KFW Development Bank April 2015
http://www.wadielgemal.org
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Contents 1.
Background Information ...................................................................................................... 3
2.
Purpose of the Evaluation ................................................................................................... 4
3.
Evaluation Methods ............................................................................................................ 5
4.
Evaluation Team Composition ............................................................................................ 6
5.
Planning and Implementation Arrangements....................................................................... 6 5.1
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS .................................................................................. 6
5.2
TIME FRAME FOR THE EVALUATION PROCESS ............................................................... 7
5.3
DETAILED BUDGET ..................................................................................................... 8
5.4
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES .......................................................................................... 9
Annex (1) Project Logfram ........................................................................................................10
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1. Background Information The Sustainable Ecotourism Development in Wadi El Gemal National Park project is a developmental public private project (PPP) two year project started in July 2014 and co-funded by Veronaland touristic company in Egypt and the German KFW DEG Development Bank. The Project aims to support the provision of high quality ecotourism products and services within the Wadi El Gemal National Park (WGNP) in Egypt’s Red Sea region. The Project’s objective is to develop sustainable and competitive ecotourism activities within the park and its surroundings (e.g. desert walks, desert star gazing, bird watching, safaris, hiking, climbing, biking and thematic paths). In addition, the park’s Visitor Center shall be rehabilitated and operated under the scope of the Project. This will be achieved through a partnership between the private sector, the park’s authority and the local community. The Wadi el Gemal National Park, "Valley of the Camels" in Arabic, is an extensive area of land and coastal water lying to the south of MarsaAlam in Egypt. It includes many diverse ecological habitats and a rich variety of animal and bird species including several of which are endangered. WGNP was declared 2
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a protected area in January 2003, and covers an area of approximately 7,000 km – 4,770 km of land 2
and 2,000 km of sea. The sea component of the park contains important island and bird/turtle nesting sites, as well as coral reef formations that are important for both tourism and biodiversity conservation. Other park attractions include Roman ruins, significant religious sites, quarries and a nomadic tribe called The Ababda. The combination of marine and terrestrial habitats represents an important integrated ecosystem, including coral reefs, mangroves, desert valleys and their associated vegetation and periodic floods. The park also includes several islands, a mangrove rich coastline and an extensive mountainous area inland surrounding one of Egypt's largest desert valleys. Wadi el Gemal acts to channel any water from the mountains towards the coastline but some is trapped underground, which is a key factor supporting the area's vibrant ecosystem. The Visitor Center is located at WGNP’s northern entrance, situated as a focal point, on the top of a hill, along the western side of the Suez/BirShalatein seashore highway. The one story building is about 250 m2, and serves several functions: 1) a reception and welcoming pit-stop; 2) orienting visitors and disseminating essential information about the park’s natural and cultural resources; 3) reservations for various park activities. Our goal is to promote ecotourism in WGNP, to rehabilitate and operate its Visitor Center and to improve the generation of revenue by providing high quality visitor experiences. The existing visitor centre of Wadi El Gemal will be refurbished by the VeronalandCompany as an “ecocentre” providing information on the park, its facilities and the cultural and ecological heritage. Being the gate to the national park for tourists it will provide access and service to: ecological tours, tour operators and hotel establishments along the coast line. The Public Private Partnership foresees the following set-up: the VeronalandCompany will rent the visitor centre and take care of a business oriented, professional operation and in return, they will get access to the infrastructure within the park area. In doing so, it has the potential to become a sustainable management model for other national parks and protected areas in
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Egypt. The Veronaland Company guarantees that all rendered services and planned activities within this PPP project will act in accordance with the national park regulations. Therefore all tourism activities will be implemented in accordance with the standard (definition) for ecotourism of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES). Once there is a national park fee system established, all generated revenues will be directed to the park authorities to maintain the park´s infrastructure. The overall objective of this PPP project is to commonly develop a business oriented approach to: -
Support the development of a sustainable, target group specific infrastructure for ecotourism activities within the park area.
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Develop sustainable and competitive ecotourism activities within the national park and its surroundings (e.g. desert walks, desert star gazing, bird watching, hikes with camels, hiking, climbing and biking and thematic paths (e.g. archaeological path).
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Offer environmental education and awareness raising to local communities (e.g. sea turtle conservation), international and local guests and the surrounding tourism sector
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Create job opportunities for local communities (through the ecotourism activities offered in the Visitor Centre of the national park)
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Support the production of local handcraft by the installation of a distribution point, (“made in Egypt” shop, focusing on and distributing handcrafted products by the local communities of the neighboring communities
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And thus create a lighthouse example for sustainable park management in Egypt and to promote ecotourism as an alternative tourism model for the existing low level mass tourism in Egypt.
2. Purpose of the Evaluation The purpose is to conduct mid-term formative evaluation ofthe project with the aim of improving the project’s design and performance. This mid-term evaluation will provide technical advice to the project management in order to improve project design and implementation to enable successful realization of project goals. In Addition, results of this mid-term evaluation can be used to support the summative/terminal evaluation that will be conducted by the end of the project. This evaluation is essential for trying to understand why the project works or doesn’t, and what other factors (internal and external) are at work during a project’s life. The results of this evaluation are expected to be valuable investment that improves the likelihood of achieving a successful project outcome through better program design. The Sustainable Ecotourism Development in Wadi El Gemal National Park Project is a new project that has started in July 2014. It is essential to evaluate the project to assess the design, monitor implementation and to use results to inform decision making. The evaluation team shall conduct field visit to conduct the surveys and collect data. The evaluation will be composed of the following two forms:
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a) Interactive: to improve the project’s design (continual improvement) as it is rolled out b) Monitoring: to ensure that the project activities are being delivered efficiently and effectively
3. Evaluation Methods This evaluation will mainly use qualitative methods of inquiry. The questions that will be asked in are will be more open and lead to exploration of processes, both from the viewpoint of participants, but also from that of project staff and other stakeholders. The evaluation will be participatory. The evaluation will include collecting data from project staff, stakeholders and partners. Data collection will be in the form of survey, semi-structured interviews and focus group meetings. Project reports and documents will also be analyzed to gain more understanding about project and activities implementation progress. The project Log frame Matrix will be analyzed and modified according to feedback from the evaluation. It is recommended that computer software to be used to support the qualitative analysis (i.e. Atlas.ti or Nvivo). Some of the approaches that will be used in undertaking the evaluation are briefly outlined in the table below: Method
Purpose
Target Source
Semi-structured Interview
To discuss with the participants and to understand how interventions work and how they could be improved
Project staff, beneficiaries and stakeholders
To assess the status of the Visitor Centre and observe progress on rehabilitation and exhibit design and installation works
The Visitor Centre status
Survey
To assess the satisfaction of visitors ofthe Visitor Centre
Visitors
Focus Group
To understand participant’s own perspectives on a project
Project partners
Documentation Analysis
Provides valuable information into the progress and process of change
Project report, website, consultants report, project diary, budget tracking, publications (number and quality).
Logframe Analysis
To ensure that project goals and objectives are specific,measurable, relevant and timely planned. In addition, the logframe shall be updated based on discussion and evaluation results.
Project staff and partners
Field visit Observation
/
Matrix
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Group
/
Data
4. Evaluation Team Composition The evaluation team will composed of two evaluators who should have background in social science methodologies research or related fields with experience in conducting evaluation. Knowledge about ecotourism and national parks will be an asset. Familiarity with developmental projects will be a plus. Ability to speak Arabic language is preferable. Evaluation Team Leader One of the evaluators will be the team leader who will be responsible for evaluation plan, survey design, budgeting, communications, and data analysis and reporting. Evaluation Assistant The other evaluator will serve as assistant (this evaluator could have less experience in evaluation). The evaluation assistant will be responsible for logistic, time management, coordinating and documenting data collection (focus groups, interviews, etc.). He will also participate in data management and analysis. Data Entry Specialist To enter the primary data collected during the evaluation assignmentinto the qualitative analysis software. This will save time and effort for the evaluation team that will be invested in data analysis phase. A university student could be hired for this task to provide on-the-job training to him/her and also some financial benefits.
5. Planning and Implementation Arrangements 5.1 MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS The evaluation team leader will agree with the Project Management Unit (PMU) on the evaluation plan. The evaluators will review relevant documents during the desktop review and after that design the survey tools. The evaluators will commission a one week field trip to project location for primary data collection. After data collection, the evaluation team will analyze data and submit report from their primary station. A communication plan shall be agreed on between the evaluation team and the client (the project) in order to facilitate communication. One of the project management software shall be used for data sharing, communication, and storage. ASANA software is recommended for this purpose. It is recommended that all focus group and semi-structured interviews to be recorded to facilitate data analysis phase. All data related to this mission shall be stored in secured places (laptops protected with passwords, locked shelves, etc.). The evaluators shall maintain continues contact with the PMU in order to ensure the proper arrangement of mission plan, data collection processes and logistical support. The consultant will carry on his/her
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mission in full collaboration with the project manager whom will help the consultant throughout all the mission phases starting from the planning phase, supporting the consultant to achieve better understanding of the current status of the project from all different perspective. The project is responsible for the provision of office accommodation for the required interviews and meetings during the consultancy period. During the field trip, the project shall be responsible for transportation and accommodation arrangements.
5.2 TIME FRAME FOR THE EVALUATION PROCESS The time frame of the contract of this consultancy will be 5 weeks, which will involve the field mission, and the formulation and submission of all the mission deliverables to the management after which it will be available for commenting by the PMU and final submission. Activities
Week 1
Desktop review / review of project documents Preparation of evaluation Plan Documentation analysis / technical reports, websites, project diaries, consultants report, budget tracking, publications (number and quality). Research design and formulation of survey tools Readability, field test, and pilot tests of research tools Field visit Primary data collection phase Data entry Data analysis Draft report Consultation with the client Rework , finalize and Submission of final report
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2
3
4
5
5.3 DETAILED BUDGET Team
Evaluation
leader
Assistant
(# of days)
(# of days)
Desktop review
3
3
-
1650
Preparation of evaluation Plan
2
1
-
950
Documentation analysis
3
6
-
2100
Research design and formulation of survey tools
4
2
-
1900
Readability, field test, and pilot tests of research tools
0
5
-
750
Field visit
4
5
-
2350
Primary data collection phase
3
4
-
1800
Data entry
0
0
500
500
Data analysis
2
4
-
1400
Preparation of Draft report
4
2
-
1900
Consultation with the client
2
0
-
800
Travel, periderm and accommodation
4
4
-
1400
Software
0
0
500
500
Preparation and submission of Draft report
3
1
-
1350
500
500
Activity
Other administrative costs
Other
Total Budget
$19850
Total Budget * Evaluation Team leader fees = 400 USD per day * Evaluation Assistant consultation fees = 150 USD per day
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5.4 EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
I. Evaluation Plan After communication with the client and reviewing project documents, the evaluation team will prepare an evaluation plan that will be used as a roadmap for the assignment. The plan will include Program description, evaluation purpose statement, evaluation design and survey tools, communication plan, reporting plan, timeline and budget.
II. Draft Evaluation Report The evaluation team will submit a first draft of the evaluation report. This will be based on the results of the qualitative data analysis performed during the assignment. The evaluation report shall respond to the objectives of the evaluation which are:
to improve the project’s design (continual improvement) as it is rolled out
to ensure that the project activities are being delivered efficiently and effectively
The report shall come up with lessons leant and recommendations for program development. An updated version of the project Logframe shall also be attached to the report to be used by the project.
III. Final Evaluation Report After submitting the draft report to the PMU and getting their feedback on it, the evaluation team will review the comments and it is their decision whether to consider all/some of the comments of not. This depends of validity of the comments.
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Annex (1) Project Logfram
Date of preparation:15 May, 2014 Date of revision:15 May, 2015
Sustainable ecotourism development in the Wadi El Gemal National Park
Summary Problem Statement: Wadi El Gemal is the third largest national park in the Arabian desert and was officially declared a national park in 2003, including an area of 4,770 km2 of land and 2,000 km2 of marine waters. Due to its delta, its mountainous landscape, its 120 km of Red Sea coastline as well as its extensive coral reefs, it counts as one of the most beautiful national parks in Egypt. Wadi El Gemal is the home of about 7,000 Bedouins from the Ababda tribe which mostly live on shepherding camels, sheep and goats. Tourism activities do not significantly contribute to their income. The park’s tourism infrastructure is poorly developed, and locally produced sustainable ecotourism products are not offered. The park hardly generates any income and faces growing environmental problems such as increasing waste disposals in the park’s region and on the coastline. Also, any visitor information system is completely missing within the park, thus visitors and even locals are not aware that they are visiting a fragile protected area. Especially untouched nature and marine biodiversity are the main attractions for the hotels and resorts in Wadi El Gemal National Park and the surrounding MarsaAlam area. Overall Objective: The main target of the proposal is to develop the framework conditions for the commercial and sustainable development of ecotourism services based on the ecological and socio-cultural resources of the Wadi El Gemal National Park and distributed through a privately and public run visitors centre within the park area and thus encounter the slow deterioration of the national park. By the end of the project the Visitor Centre should be completely installed and successfully running. The signing system posted, all ecotourism products and guest information in place and a successful cooperation between Veronaland and the park authorities initiated.
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Specific Objective 1:To develop sustainable public private partnership model to increase ecotourism opportunities in the Park Specific Objective 2: Todevelop the Park Visitors Centre to play its role in education, commercial and sustainable use of ecotourism services based on the ecological and socio-cultural resources of the Park Outputs
Outcomes
Performance Indicator
Data Source
Method of collecting data
of Outcome
Specific Objective # 1: To develop sustainable public private partnership model to increase and promote ecotourism opportunities in the Park Kick-Off Workshop/consultation
1.1 Institutional framework
List of attendants
Project
Document analysis
meetings with various stakeholders to
for the sustainable public-
Copy of the signed
database
Interview with
introduce the project activities and to
private management model
develop a common vision.
is set up and agreed
Contract and ToR
stakeholders
Management + Plan Development and issue a cooperation
Document
agreement and its modalities between PPP actors Development of a sustainable business and management model for the Vistors and the offered ecotourism activities Development of a corporate design
1.2 Marketing, promotion
and “brand for the park, Visitor Centre
and information material on
and its related services.
the Wadi El Gemal Visitor
Development of marketing and
Centre and the offered
Graphic Logo as PDF document Copy of the Marketing and Promotion Plan
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Project
Document analysis
database
Surveys to Park visitors
Outputs
Outcomes
Performance Indicator
Data Source
data
of Outcome promotion plan Development of visitor information
services in the park area are developed and in place
Method of collecting
Webpage, Map, Guidebook Photos documenting the
materials
participation
Implementation of marketing and promotion measures to market the ecotourism services in tourism fairs
Assumptions for Specific Objective: key stakeholders will cooperate, each member with contribute, political situation is stable, tourism industry is stable Specific Objective # 1:Todevelop the Park Visitors Centre to play its role in education, commercial and sustainable use of ecotourism services based on the ecological and socio-cultural resources of the Park Develop the design of an exhibition
2.1 Wadi El Gemal NP
Design concept PDF
and interpretation area, complete
Visitor Centre is developed
document , photos of the
renovation of the Visitors Centre, and
and installed as info point,
renovated Visitors Centre
set up and installation of an exhibition
selling point of ecotourism
, photos of the newly
and interpretation area
services and centre for
installed exhibition and
awareness raising and
interpretation area in the
education on cultural and
Visitor Centre
biological heritage of the
List of attendants
Training of the staff of the Visitor Centre
national park.
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Project
Observation
database
Field visit Trainees surveys
Outputs
Outcomes
Performance Indicator
Data Source
data
of Outcome On site experts mission to evaluate the 2.2 The “ecotourism ecotourism potentials of the park area
product Wadi El Gemal
and visitor centre
National Park” is developed
Development of a strategic development plan as a common vision for the Wadi El Gemal visitors centre
and in place and all related
Mission report
Project
Observation
Copy of the strategic
database
Field visit
touristic development
Document analysis
plan Interview with
services offered by the Wadi El Gemal NP Visitor
Method of collecting
Photos
stakeholders
Centre. Implementation of one pilot ecotourism product e.g. star gazing, or camel hiking tours Assumptions for Specific Objective: key stakeholders will cooperate, each member with contribute, political situation is stable, tourism industry is stable
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