About this role
Tourism Development Specialist
Project Description: Costa Rica is looking for professionals with a passion for sustainable tourism and community economic development to support their new tourism plans.
You will support a canton (similar to a county) southeast of downtown San José, the capital of Costa Rica. This municipality boasts a variety of attractions, including historic buildings, natural protected areas; breathtaking landscapes; sustainable farms, coffee, and sugar mills; farmers’ markets; and museums. However, the municipality currently lacks a robust tourism development plan to promote and utilize all these attractions. Their goal is to create a strategic plan for the canton and a gradual implementation phase where small businesses, farms, and cultural centers will be integrated. This participatory approach will result in shared goals and increased profits for the local stakeholders.
As a Tourism Development Specialist, you will collaborate with local stakeholders to assess, design, develop, and implement strategies to strengthen the canton's sustainable tourism. Alongside municipality workers, you will engage local businesses and community members to promote environmental and social sustainability.
Required Skills: Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or hospitality and tourism. AND Three years of experience in tourism marketing and/or hospitality planning and project implementation.
Living Conditions: Housing may take various forms, including a room with a host family or an independent room or apartment. All housing is located within three kilometers of the Volunteer’s primary work site, allowing them to walk, bike, or use public transportation to commute.
Activities: Design and pilot a cantonal tourism strategy aligned with the municipality’s development plan and sustainability goals. Design an annual work plan with corresponding activities for rural and southern districts. Identify and promote locally made products. Design and develop promotional resources that position the area as a national touristic attraction. Monitor and evaluate indicators of touristic development. Create technical reports with feedback and improvement.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as facilitating English conversation clubs and coaching youth sports.
Training: After two weeks of orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to an urban community where you will collaborate with the Municipality. You will work with the partner and your community to assess the local needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.
Peace Corps/Costa Rica will support you if you choose to work with a local tutor who can further advance your language skills to better connect with the community.
Job Highlights: Gain international, sustainable tourism experience in a popular South American destination. Strengthen Spanish language skills through daily collaborations and interactions. Experience Costa Rica’s rich culture and the pura vida lifestyle.