We have launched our new ethnographic research service to help clients understand the needs and motivations of customers and consumers.

Whitby, Coastal Defence Strategy
PSCL worked as part of a team led by Royal Haskoning to carry out a contingent valuation exercise to evaluate the value of the coastline and beaches along a 7 kilometre stretch around Whitby in North Yorkshire. Our role was to assess the value of the coastline for tourism and amenity use, alongside fishing and other commercial uses. Following a contingent valuation approach (to assess ‘natural capital’) we carried out an extensive programme of primary research among residents and tourists to assess the importance of the beach and coastline to their enjoyment and quality of life. The final work is intended to establish the relative importance of continuing to protect coastal defences in the area.  We have worked on a number of coastal regeneration projects.

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. VSO’s high-impact approach involves bringing people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action and change lives to make the world a fairer place for all.

We currently have 5 different opportunities in a variety of tourism roles, based in Tajikistan. These roles require particular specialist skills and experience in tourism and a 24 month commitment. I have attached a one page summary of the roles.

Our package includes salary, return flight, accommodation, medical and travel insurance cover, national insurance contributions, pension contributions, visas and work permits grants and guaranteed holidays.

Please see below for details of the roles:

Each requires tourism specialist with at least 2 years of professional experience and I have attached a short summary of the roles.

Hospitality advisor, Tajikistan, 12 months

You’ll provide your expertise to help develop an improved understanding of contemporary standards in hospitality and service (hotel and restaurant businesses), ensuring the next generation of tourism professionals will be better equipped to take up jobs and provide jobs for others throughout the tourism value chain.
You’ll have a degree in tourism or a related field to hospitality management paired with a least 3 years experience of managing a reputable hotel or restaurant – ideally with experience of attracting international clientele. You’ll have experience of managing and advising staff and providing on-the-job training at all levels of the hospitality business. You’ll need strong marketing expertise and experience.

New business advisor for tourism, Tajikistan, 12 months

You’ll use your vast experience of tourism business develop and marketing to develop skills with in Tajikistan tourism industry and deliver recommendations to realise Tajikistan’s tourism potential. You’ll have a degree in tourism or a related business field paired with extensive practical experience of the tourism and hospitality sector. You’ll need to demonstrate your experience of developing high-level tourism plans as well as skills in small business development, ideally in hospitality or tourism. You’ll have strong communication and facilitation skills to pass on your extensive marketing experience.

Tourism strategy advisor, Tajikistan, 12 months

We are now looking for a very experienced tourism specialist to help the Free Economic Zone to pioneer responsible tourism and hospitality development in the historic city of Khojand to enable to generation of more business and employment opportunities in to Central Asia’s poorest countries. Working with staff at the FEZ, you’ll provide technical tourism business development support to develop a realistic strategy for tourism and hospitality development.

You’ll have a degree in business development, tourism development or a related field and at least 3 years experience of working at a senior level in the tourism sector. You’ll have an excellent understanding of business management and organisational development paired with experience of raising investment or funding for tourism development.

Tourism Marketing and PR advisor, Tajikistan, 12 months

We are looking for an experienced tourism specialist with marketing and PR expertise to build the capacity of the Tajikistan government to realise Tajikistan’s tourism potential. You’ll have a degree in tourism or a related business field paired with extensive practical experience of the tourism and hospitality sector. You’ll need to demonstrate your experience of developing high-level tourism plans as well as skills in small business development, ideally in hospitality or tourism. You’ll have strong communication and facilitation skills to pass on your extensive marketing experience.

Tourism board development advisor, Tajikistan, 24 months

You will use your extensive experience of tourism business development to support the Zerafshan Tourism Board (ZTB)to develop a viable and sustainable membership body for the promotion of regional tourism and representation of tourism development interests. You will support ZTB staff to develop an independent and financially sustainable organisation. You’ll have a degree in Tourism or business. You will need extensive experience of managing small businesses in the tourism or hospitality sector as well as experience of membership bodies and the development of membership services and financial stability.

www.vso.org.uk/volunteer/current-roles

We have launched a new research service – Ethnography where we carry out ethnographic research to engage with a range of different consumers and hard to reach audiences.

Our sister company Planning Solutions Limited is looking for a full time Accounts Assistant to run the Purchase Ledger, needs to be experienced in purchase ledger, bank reconcilations and Sage line 50. It is a very busy office with a small team so must be a team player. Please contact Val (val @ pslplan.co.uk) for more details. Based in Havant, Hampshire.

Behave: New services to change travel behaviours from Lucy Kimbell on Vimeo.

Are you looking to understand the needs, motivations and behaviour of customers? Have a look at Ethnography.

A place where we carry out design research, social research and consumer ethnography.

Heritage Meets Social Media

The Social Impact Assessment service will be launching soon!

We have just launched our new heritage consulting service.  Come and visit our website – Heritage Consultant.

From Future Lab’s blog.

We have recently launched our new Visitor Experience consulting service focusing on the visitor attractions sector.

We have launched a new service Regeneration Consultants – please have a peek at the website.

Conkers, the attraction managed by our sister company, is located within the National Forest.

Planning Solutions Consulting is launching a new service – Rural Development Consultants in October 2010.

ProCon Leicester Mercury People’s Choice Award
The Heart of the National Forest Foundation has made it to the shortlist in this year’s ProCon People’s Choice Award.  Leicester Mercury readers are being asked to vote for the ‘Regeneration Champion of the Decade’ and the Foundation is one of 6 finalists.

For the past 10 years, the Foundation (set up in 1998) has led the regeneration of derelict collieries and the surrounding landscape at the heart of the National Forest, into a vibrant woodland environment for people and local communities.

Under the Chairmanship of the late Nicholas Corah, the Foundation raised over £20 million to create Conkers which welcomed its 2 millionth visitor recently.  CONKERS, a hands-on experience set in 150 acres of woods and lakes, tells the story of forests and the importance of the environment.  Attractions include indoor and outdoors exhibits, walks, outdoor shows, train rides and a daily education programme.

The Foundation’s vision is to transform at least 1000 acres of former quarries surrounding CONKERS into a forest with woods, trails, lakes and wildlife – the centrepiece of the wider National Forest.  We are working with local people and organisations to make this happen.

Already, as part of its vision, the Foundation has created the National Forest Youth Hostel, the Conkers Caravanning and Camping site and the Conkers Circuit, a 5 mile multi-user trail for walking, cycling and horse riding.

It’s your Forest and only you can help the Foundation win the Award for ‘Regeneration Champion of the Decade’.  Every single vote counts and you can vote for the Heart of the National Forest Foundation by going to:  http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Awards-vote/article-2610234-detail/article.html
The deadline for voting is Friday 1st October and winners will be announced on 11th November
Make us your People’s Choice !