BACKGROUND

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, MSMEs in the tourism sector have been facing severe disruptions to their businesses. With the suspension of the border for more than 6 months, the operations of safari vessels and guesthouses were hit the most. The challenges faced to MSMEs due to the pandemic such as the complete shutdown of safari vessels and guesthouses, along with the difficulty in bringing tourists due to travel restrictions and the excessive “middle-man” commissions have been identified as a major hindrance faced by the sector. Most of the bookings in the local tourism sector are made through Online Travel Agents. However, the high commissions are taken by these websites act to squeeze out crucial margins for the local guesthouses, especially given the challenges in start-up recovery and post-pandemic economic downturn.

In order to address the issues faced by the MSMEs in the tourism sector, the second component of the “EU Support for a Resilient Recovery of SME Tourism Industry in the Maldives” project is the development and implementation of an Online Travel Agency (OTA). This system will act as a strategically important tool to retain value created by the industry and promote the growth of tourism related MSMEs. It will also create access to international markets for the MSME tourism sector.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this TOR is to engage a consultant/consultancy firm to Design and Develop an “Online Travel Agency (OTA)”

SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

MFMC intends to hire a consultant to Design and Develop an “Online Travel Agency (OTA)”

QUALIFICATION OF CONSULTANCY FIRM

MFMC Capital Pvt Ltd now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested consulting firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

• Letter of Expression of Interest.
• Profile of the Firm demonstrating Past Performance, Capabilities, and Experience, highlighting specific experience as a firm. All the required supporting documents must be provided as specified in the TOR.
• CVs of proposed key experts with attested educational certificates

Consulting firms may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications.

SELECTING A CONSULTANCY FIRM

A consulting firm will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Qualification Selection Method (CQS).

For any clarification, email to the below specified address; before 10^th October 2022, 1300hrs (Maldivian time).

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 1300 hours Maldivian time on October 12, 2022, marked “Designing and Development of an “Online Travel Agency (OTA)”

Procurement Department,

MFMC Capital Pvt Ltd,

9A & 9B, H. Orchid, 

Ameer Ahmed Magu, Male’, 20095, 

Republic of Maldives

Tel: (960) 331 6362

[email protected]