Peru Tourism Project

dropped

The Project is designed to deal with both immediate COVID-19 responses and longer-term recovery and competitive positioning of selected destinations in an integrated way. A phased approach will be used, in which short-term development will focus on domestic tourism, and medium- and long-term development will focus on mobilizing key public investments, attracting private sector investment, and increasing value from international tourism. Both phases will be supported by institutional strengthening to build a competitive, sustainable, and resilient tourism sector.Component 1 will support small-scale, site-specific improvements based on local priorities and relevance for getting tourists back safely in the short-term (Most activities would be expected to be undertaken between April and December 2021.) A Rapid Recovery Action Plan (RRAP) will be agreed on for each destination, with the objective to identify a quick and coherent set of rapid interventions, rather than larger infrastructure works. RRAP activities (to be identified during implementation) could include, among other things: (i) small-scale infrastructure investments to facilitate visitor management and social distancing in line with new protocols such as signage; (ii) investments in public facilities needed to meet new health and hygiene protocols including equipment, remodeling and repurposing; (iii) MSME training to digitize and adopt protocols, health and safety support systems, etc.; and (iv) marketing, communication, and reopening promotion activities emphasizing safe practices. Investments could include infrastructure optimization/ retrofitting, minor construction, expansion and/or rehabilitation, as well as equipment interventions. Component 2 will finance the upgrading of existing tourist destinations that aren’t fully developed/ exploited through medium scale infrastructure interventions and support to tourism businesses (grants, training, etc.). Infrastructure investments, to be identified during implementation, could include:i. Improved facilities at key natural and cultural heritage sites including beach improvements, restoration and protection of cultural assets, entry facilities, restrooms, etc.ii. Improved facilities for public transport and non-motorized transport: trails, sidewalks, car-parking, visitor information and interpretive facilities, construction or improvement of facilities for public transport such as bus stops and terminals, boat landing sites, and taxi and truck stands.iii. Improvement, rehabilitation and/or maintenance of roads; upgraded quality and condition of tourism-relevant utilities such as electricity, water/sanitation, waste management, Wi-Fi, health centers.Civil works interventions under both Components 1 and 2 will not involve (i) new infrastructure in non-intervened natural areas, or (ii) large-scale infrastructure in urban or rural areas. The menu of potential investments will be further refined during preparation, as more information becomes available. Specific investments under both components, to be identified during implementation, will adhere to the project’s exclusion list (refer to ESS1 below), and will be evaluated in partnership with the government and in consultations with tourism industry representatives and local communities, including women’s groups and indigenous peoples, where appropriate.Component 2 will also finance training and small grants to assist tourism businesses to enhance their product development and competitiveness. While the bulk of support would be expected to go to upgrading existing tourism businesses, including women-led businesses, there could also be special programs to support the identification and start-up of new tourism businesses.Component 3 will finance, among other things, (i) the implementation of a digital single window for tourism, where tourism service providers can obtain permits and authorizations; (ii) improving inter-institutional coordination and government capacity building; (iii) the creation or upgrading of “destination management organizations” to manage, monitor and market the priority destinations chosen under Components 1 and 2; (iv) project management functions, including the creation of a Project Implementation Unit.