CT’s team has designed and delivered training programmes for groups and individuals that include government ministers and senior executives, students and academics, local guides, heritage experts and community representatives, tour operators and protected area managers.
Drawing on earlier experience of epidemics (Ebola, Foot & Mouth), natural disasters (earthquakes, floods) and conflict (war, terrorism), CT has recently been advising companies, governments and destination organisations on COVID-19 strategy and market recovery options.
Whether natural or cultural, heritage is at the heart of every tourism strategy, because it represents the identity of place and local distinctiveness. It can contribute to branding and authenticity through visitor experience and local supply chains, and draws on both autochthonous heritage and cultural diversity that is a function of mobility. CT has recently been working on heritage tourism in Colombia, Laos and Yemen.
Investor confidence requires a clear tourism strategy and a business-friendly environment. Finance can be accessed for more risky developments, but it might come with more conditions. The diaspora is emerging as an important source of capital for many emerging destinations. Recently, CT has been focused on emerging destinations and advising on investment promotion strategies in Laos, Nigeria, Russia and Sri Lanka.
CT’s team has provided representation services to a number of destinations and tour operators in Europe and the Middle East and achieved significant market development for destinations in sub-Saharan Africa, the MENA region, Europe, Mediterranean and Caribbean. Whether post-crisis or in normal times, market development has always been data-driven and demand-led to establish resilient partnerships that deliver added value.
Data are key to market research, both qualitative and quantitative. CT’s skills are in the statistical analysis of data to establish an evidence base for policy decisions and other interventions for sustainable product and market development.
CT’s team has extensive master planning experience, especially in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on innovation and diversification in emerging destinations and post-crisis situations. CT’s most recent experience has been in South and Southeast Asia.
As well as researching and developing concepts of co-operative tourism and public value in tourism, Benjamin Carey has previously produced research papers on tourism and migration for UNWTO and marketing sustainable tourism products for UNEP.
Policy interventions can include changes to destination management organisations, business and investment regulation, visa policy and data collection. CT has recently drafted new tourism policies for destinations in Africa and Europe and has been working with destinations on policy responses to the current COVID-19 crisis.
CT conducts feasibility studies and options appraisals for a wide range of clients in the public and private sectors, as well as community groups for product development and investment promotion purposes. Recently in Europe, this has led to a new strategy for an organisation offering sustainability training programmes and wilderness retreats, and a plan for delivering a multi-million pound infrastructure development in a heritage town.