Eco-Tourism Product Development Consultant

Consultant (Community/Eco-Tourism Specialist for Kithul Tourism Product Development)

Company: Janathakshan (GTE) Ltd

Role Summary

Assignment Title: Individual Consultant – Community/Eco-Tourism Specialist for Kithul Tourism Product Development

Location: Deniyaya, Matara

Duration: Three (03) months (01 September 2026 – 30 November 2026)

Level of Effort: Approximately 30-35 working days

Scope of the Assignment: The assignment aims to transform the existing Kithul Value Chain Development initiative into a market-ready tourism experience that generates sustainable income opportunities for kithul tapper families while promoting the conservation of kithul palms and their forest habitats.

Key Responsibilities

• Review the existing Kithul Tourism Program concept and conduct a site assessment.
• Facilitate consultations with kithul tapper families and estate staff.
• Refine and finalize tourism packages, visitor experiences, safety protocols, and pricing models.
• Develop practical training materials and curricula.
• Deliver training programmes for tapper families, women's groups, youth groups, and estate staff.
• Design and facilitate (FAM) tours and gather visitor feedback.
• Provide advice and directions on SLTDA registration, tour operation engagement, and marketing strategies.
• Prepare reports and implementation roadmaps to support the commercial launch of the Kithul Tourism Program.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• A degree in Tourism, Hospitality Management, Rural Development, Agribusiness, Environmental Management, or a related field.
• Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in community-based tourism, eco-tourism, agri-tourism, or rural tourism product development.
• Demonstrated experience in training and capacity building for rural communities, smallholder producer groups, or micro-enterprises.
• Experience working with agricultural, forestry, or value-chain development initiatives will be an advantage.
• Familiarity with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) requirements and tourism sector participation will be advantageous.
• Previous experience with donor-funded or NGO livelihood and conservation projects will be an advantage.

Skills

• Strong facilitation, training, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work effectively with communities having diverse literacy and educational backgrounds.
• Excellent report-writing and communication skills.
• Fluency in English and working proficiency in Sinhala.

Submission Requirements

Interested consultants should submit:

• A Technical Proposal (maximum 5 pages) demonstrating understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and indicative work plan.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant qualifications and experience, including two references.
• A list of eco-tourism or community tourism products developed, indicating the applicant's specific role.
• A Financial Proposal (lump-sum in LKR) clearly itemizing proposed fees and any travel or other costs proposed to be covered by the consultant.
• Availability during September–November 2026.
• The complete Terms of Reference (TOR) for this consultancy can be accessed at: TOR Kithul Tourism Consultant.docx