Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation

Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation

Completedon 30 Nov, 2006
Evaluation Plan
Planned End Date
Nov 2006
Evaluation Type
Project
Management Response
Yes
Evaluation Budget
$0
Summary
The key findings of the FET include:  The TRPAP is a well thought out, ambitious (nearly US$ 5 million) propoor tourism programme. It is experimental by nature. It has had some considerable successes, especially with: o Socially mobilizing a strong cadre of target groups to work for the programme, and successfully applying participatory planning tools. o Developing a wide range of rural infrastructure, e.g. trail development, bridges, signs, rubbish collection, alternative energy systems, community lodges, and water schemes. o Developing appropriate institutional support in the respective districts that provides direction and ownership of the TRPAP principles. TRPAP's work with DDCs, VDCs and STDCs in most cases has been successful, despite difficult conditions. DDCs, VDCs, BZMCs, BZUGs and STDCs have made progress in institutionalizing the issues, and some activities will be sustained (e.g. STDC activities and infrastructure development) o Providing capacity enhancement, both in Kathmandu and in the districts has in most cases been effective. A wide range of stakeholders (over 13,000) were given skills training. o Providing small business access to capital through the Venture Capital Fund (VCF).  The TRPAP was delivered by a "stand alone" project office within the Nepal Tourism Board. This has considerable advantages as it provided strong GoN linkages and also enabled TRPAP to stay focused on delivering results. Good communication linkages and support within NTB were well maintained throughout the project period.  Whilst the programme was designed in times of buoyant tourism (1999-2000), TRPAP was delivered (2001-2006) during a period of struggling tourism due to the serious civil unrest in many parts of the country, including all TRPAP sites. This was particularly relevant in Taplejung, and Dolpo districts. The difficulties in these areas led the aid programme partner, SNV-N, to withdraw their ecotourism projects in these area
  • Evaluation Information
Evaluation Title
Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation
Plan Period
Status
Completed
Type
Project
Management Response
Yes
Plan Date
30 Nov, 2006
Quality Assessment
No
Completion Date
30 Nov, 2006
Joint Programme
No
Joint Evaluation
No
Budget
$0
GEF Evaluation
No
Expenditure
$0
Countries
Nepal