Study on Public-Private Partnerships in the Tourism Sector in Egypt, with a focus on Upper Egypt

Program: “Promotion of Sustainable Economic and Social Alternatives Based on Tourism in Upper Egypt with a Special Focus on Women and Youth” Study on Public-Private Partnerships in the Tourism Sector in Egypt, with a focus on Upper Egypt Introduction Within the framework of the program “Promotion of Sustainable Economic and Social Alternatives Based on Tourism in Upper Egypt with a Special Focus on Women and Youth”, implemented by the CIDEAL Foundation with the financial support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), a specialized technical assistance is required to carry out a study on public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Egypt, with particular emphasis on the tourism sector and the specific context of Upper Egypt. This study is conceived as a strategic tool to support and guide ongoing efforts aimed at generating synergies between public, private, and community actors to contribute to the development of the tourism sector. About CIDEAL Foundation CIDEAL Foundation for Cooperation and Research is an independent organization with 40 years of experience in implementing international cooperation projects in developing countries. Its areas of work include food security and productive development, employment, entrepreneurship and income generation, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, human rights, and governance. CIDEAL also operates as a research centre, developing innovative studies and training activities on key issues such as development cooperation, project management, the human rights-based approach, gender mainstreaming, and public-private collaboration. The Foundation’s headquarters are in Madrid, with offices and permanent staff in various parts of Spain, Africa, and Latin America. Context and justification Upper Egypt presents significant potential for the development of sustainable, community-based tourism, particularly in the governorates of Luxor and Aswan. In this context, various initiatives are being implemented to strengthen the capacities of local entrepreneurs and facilitate their connection to tourism markets. One of the key strategies to achieve this objective is the promotion of public-private partnerships that bring together different types of actors (such as entrepreneurs, hotels, public institutions, and private sector entities) around collaborative proposals that generate economic, social, and cultural value. This study will provide an opportunity to analyse the current state of such partnerships in Egypt, identify concrete opportunities for collaboration in the tourism sector in Upper Egypt, and propose innovative and inspiring models -both local and international- that can reinforce the integration of incubated enterprises into tourism-related value chains. The study will focus in particular on the following four value chains: 1. Food heritage 2. Handicrafts 3. Agrotourism and ecotourism 4. Creative and cultural tourism Objectives of the Technical Assistance The objective of this consultancy is to produce a study analysing the status, opportunities, and mechanisms of public–private partnerships in sectors related to tourism in Egypt, with a specific focus on Upper Egypt. The study will aim to: 1. Analyse the regulatory, institutional, and contextual framework governing or influencing public–private partnerships in Egypt. 2. Identify key stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem in Luxor and Aswan with the potential to generate synergies. 3. Identify concrete opportunities for multi-stakeholder collaboration in four tourism-related value chains (food heritage, handicrafts, agrotourism/ecotourism, and creative and cultural tourism). 4. Propose innovative mechanisms for coordination among local actors. Methodology The expert shall propose a clear, feasible, and participatory methodology combining: - Review on existing documentation and analysis of legal frameworks, programmes, and experiences related to PPPs in Egypt’s tourism sector. - Interviews with key stakeholders at national, regional, and local levels. - Specific analysis of the four prioritised value chains, identifying opportunities, challenges, and potential partnership mechanisms. - Comparative review of successful international experiences adaptable to the Egyptian context. - Development of practical recommendations and sustainable action proposals. Tasks to do To achieve the stated objectives, the consultancy will include the following activities: 1. Preliminary design of the study • Proposed outline of the study • Detailed methodology • Work plan and timeline 2. Institutional and contextual diagnosis • Institutional and regulatory analysis of the public–private collaboration framework in Egypt (with particular focus on tourism, local development, heritage, and gender). • Identification of key stakeholders in the tourism sector in Luxor and Aswan, with specific attention to public institutions, tourism businesses, community associations, and enterprises with potential to benefit from partnerships. • Mapping of existing relationships and potential synergies. 3. Review of good practices • Identification of existing national good practices in Egypt related to multi-stakeholder collaboration (e.g., initiatives integrating local products into hotels, community-based tourism projects, cultural routes, etc.). • Review of inspiring international examples that could be replicated in the context of Luxor and Aswan (e.g., authenticity certifications and territorial origin labels, gastronomic routes, tourism storytelling...). 4. Value chain analysis • Structured analysis of concrete opportunities within each of the four prioritised value chains (food heritage, handicrafts, agrotourism/ecotourism, and creative and cultural tourism). • Identification of areas for improvement in the integration of local enterprises into these value chains. 5. Formulation of proposals and recommendations • Proposals for mechanisms to connect local enterprises with tourism marketing channels. • Practical, sustainable, and context-appropriate recommendations to strengthen public–private cooperation in the sector in Upper Egypt. Deliverables 1. Detailed work plan • Proposed outline of the study. • Detailed methodology. • Timeline. 2. Preliminary version of the complete study. 3. Final validated version of the complete study. Duration of the consultancy The consultancy will last for 2 months. How to apply Consultant requirements To submit a training proposal, CIDEAL Foundation seeks one expert with qualifications clearly aligned with the following profile: Academic background University degree in Tourism, Economics, Social Sciences, or related fields. Postgraduate studies in Economic Development, International Cooperation, or sector-specific studies will be an asset. Professional experience At least 5 years of experience in public policy analysis, multi-stakeholder partnerships, or community based sustainable tourism. Knowledge of the tourism and business ecosystem in Egypt. Previous experience in similar studies or in designing partnerships in the context of international cooperation. Experience working with value chains related to tourism in Upper Egypt. Languages Fluent Arabic and English (essential) Knowledge of Spanish will be an asset. Skills and competences Strong analytical, planning, and project management skills. Excellent communication and negotiation abilities. Capacity to work both independently and in a team, with a results-oriented approach. Application Dossier The applicant’s dossier must include a technical offer and a financial offer. The technical offer must contain the following elements: a) A duly signed cover letter. b) A summary of the understanding of the Terms of Reference, including a detailed proposed methodology. c) The timeline for the mission execution. d) The consultant’s updated CV, duly signed. e) Reference certificates for similar missions carried out by the consultancy firm. The financial offer for the service must be submitted in Egyptian pounds (EGP), excluding taxes. It is important to note that the financial offer must cover any potential expenses related to this mission (travel expenses, accommodation, and any other costs associated with the execution of the mission). Evaluation Methodology for offers The evaluation of the offers will be based on the weighting of technical and financial evaluation criteria. Evaluation of the Technical Offer (80% of the total score) A technical score (St) with a maximum of 100 points will be assigned to the technical proposal according to the following table: Organisation and Methodology - 25 • Overall understanding of the mandate and intervention context - 10 • Clarity, structure, and coherence of the proposed methodology - 15 Expertise / Experience - 50 • Relevance of the profile and experience in similar projects and in line with the required qualifications - 15 • Training - 5 • Functional skills - 5 • Professional experience - 15 • References (similar missions) - 10 Proposed Methodology and approach - 25 • Quality of the proposed approach/methodology - 15 • Quality of the proposed work plan - 10 Total global score - 100 Offers that do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Terms of Reference or do not reach the minimum technical qualification threshold of 70 points out of 100 will be eliminated at this stage. Evaluation of the Financial Offer (20% of the total score) The financial proposal of the lowest-priced offer (Om) will be assessed based on the total price and the coherence of its breakdown. This offer will receive a financial score (Sf) of 100 points. The financial scores of the other offers (F) will be calculated using the following formula: Sf = 100 x Om/F Om = the lowest-priced financial offer F = the price of the evaluated offer Final Evaluation of the Overall Offer The final evaluation of the offer will be conducted by weighting the technical and financial evaluation criteria. Coordination and supervision The work will be supervised by the coordination team designated by CIDEAL Application procedure Interested candidates must submit their application before 9th November 2025 to the following email addresses: arena.martinez@cideal.org and hakim.jamain@cideal.org Any incomplete application will not be considered.