Category: Hospitality

CHF: Workforce Gap Analysis

A survey to assess the labor market in general and across a select number of sub-sectors was commissioned by CHF Lebanon. Supply and demand of skills, job availability and labor supply were assessed, and mismatches identified. The study also assessed the challenges that youths are facing in gaining employment and how to prepare them for the labor market. SWOT analysis of all sub-sectors under study and proposal for a medium to long term course of action to be followed. Methodology: Desk research, focus groups with youths, a survey with a representative sample of private sector companies, in-depth interviews with recruitment agencies, technical and vocational institutes, and economic experts.
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USAID and Social Impact: Economic Growth Assessment Study

An Economic Growth Assessment (EGA) study for Social Impact, USAID’s monitoring and program management arm. Assess economic sectors that USAID have supported as part of their program and emerging sectors which might be the focus of USAID in the future. The economic sectors assessed under the mandate were Agriculture / Agri-Food, Tourism and hospitality, Engineering/Construction, Finance, ICT, Environment, Renewable Energy, and Health. All initiatives undertaken by USAID were reviewed and compiled economic data pertinent to the economic sectors under study. Key Informant Interviews with 80 firms working in the targeted sectors and provided USAID with a report across each sector highlighting opportunities for economic growth and specific interventions to be undertaken.
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Concept Test and Competition Analysis of a real estate mixed project

A real estate supply and demand analysis to assess the optimal mix of the types of residential units and a projection of their respective absorption rates. The client intended to develop a four-season mountain resort featuring hotels, international ski slopes and a golf course and other recreational and sports activities. The aim of the analysis was to assist the master planners in the assessment of the unit mix ratio and ultimately in the design phasing. The mandate entailed identifying the demand drivers for the various types of complementary businesses likely to be located in the resort, the retail categories that they belong to, and their incentive requirements and potential size of operation in order to forecast the retail mix allocation in the project master plan. Methodology: Desk research exercise, in-depth interviews with government ministries, tour operators located in Arab countries, hotel / resort directors and managers, prominent retailers, and restaurant owners.
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Retail Real Estate Market Study

A study for an international client planning to develop a large mall in a suburb of Beirut. The client wished to gain in-depth information on the market supply and demand of retail real estate in Administrative Beirut and Mount Lebanon. In order to reach the client’s objectives, Methodology: Desk research, face-to-face interviews with consumers residing in the catchment area under study, and conducting in-depth interviews with retailers, retail real estate developers, and real estate brokers. Identified the population distribution and growth in the catchment area under study. Identified the shopping patterns of consumers and also their retail expenditure which in combination with the desk research. Forecast the retail expenditure of the entire catchment area. Insights such as preferences of amenities and services to be provided by malls, the optimal outlet size for their retail category, preferred neighboring outlets which allowed the client to decide on the optimal retail mix. Identify the price paid per square meter in malls and in street front outlets which allow the client to devise their price strategy.
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ANERA: Mapping and Assessing Needs of Existing Rural Hospitality Businesses

A study for American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) on rural tourism and alternative lodgings. It aimed to expand, solidify and institutionalize the rural hospitality infrastructure and encourage activities of responsible tourism. Methodology: Mapping lodgings countrywide. Face-to-face interviews with 60 lodging owners. Assessed the conditions of the buildings and grounds to see whether they conform to statutory and safety requirements. Mapped the services provided by the guesthouses and the support services available in the direct vicinity of the lodgings. Capacity and occupancy rates as well as booking methods and prices were established. Assessed the marketing tools utilized by the lodgings and the linkages with other local attractions. The information gathered allowed to formulate a gap analysis which helped identify the volume and high level boundaries of work needed on the ground to improve the physical infrastructure, service quality, and ancillary services of the sector.
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