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- 1. ROBIN MASON (703) 507-4417 [email protected] SUSTAINABLETOURISM EXPERT www.linkedin.com/robinmason SUMMARY ▪ Sustainable Tourism Expert with extensive skills in destination management, business analysis, product development, and project monitoring and evaluation. ▪ Over fifteen years of field experience managing international development projects in the public and private sector in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. ▪ Extensive global travel and residencies with a solid appreciation and understanding of cultural differences. ▪ Multilingual - English (fluent), Spanish (competent), and Portuguese (competent). ▪ Certified USAID Contracting Technical Officer. QUALIFICATIONS ▪ Destination Management ▪ Tourism Strategy Development ▪ Tourism Product Development ▪ Value Chain Analysis ▪ Corporate Social Responsibility ▪ Impact Investment Opportunities ▪ Institutional Assessments ▪ Public-Private Partnerships ▪ Sustainable Tourism Development EDUCATION ▪ Master ofTourism Administration (May 2013) The George Washington University, School of Business, Washington, DC ▪ Master ofArts, International Development, PhiKappa Phi(1988) The American University, Washington, DC, Phi Kappa Phi ▪ Bachelor ofArts, Economics, Cum Laude (1982) The University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA RELEVENT MBA TOURISM PROJECTS ▪ Provided technical assistance to the largest association of small to medium hotels (33 members) in the Dominican Republic. Performed value-chain analysis and destination marketing. Developed series of workshops to adopt recommendations. (Jan-May 2012) ▪ Conducted a nation-wide survey for the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities on the role of cultural heritage tourism in the National Tourism Strategy. (August 2012) ▪ Conducted a case study on a travel agency (Wild Guanabana) based in Cairo renown for its corporate social responsibility. Analyzed business model and made recommendations for improving the bottom line. ▪ Prepared a tourism strategy for London in preparation for the Olympics 2012, including vision, market demand, competitiveness, attractions, and potential tourism products. (September 2011) ▪ Developed a sustainable management strategy to position the Historic Peninsula of Istanbul as a World Class Cultural Heritage tourism destination for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Association. Conducted market
- 2. analysis, identified strategies for improved visitor flow, and developed recommendations to improve tourism service quality and product. (August 2010)
- 3. ROBIN MASON RESUME, PAGE 2 SUSTAINABLETOURISM EXPERT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ONTRADE ANDDEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD)/GENEVA 11/2013-12/2013 Field Assignment: Cape Verde INTER-REGIONAL ADVISOR/TOURISM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST ▪ Conducted an institutional assessment and provided advice on strengthening the capacity of tourism related institutions to reinforce position in national government ▪ Assessed tourism development plans and national strategy and made recommendations to integrate the two. ▪ Made recommendations on investment policies to strengthen tourism linkages/value chains. ▪ Identified how linkages in the tourism value chain could be strengthened in particular identifying options for incorporating creative services more effectively in the tourism value chain/creative economy. ▪ Made recommendations on the development, marketing and promotion of the Cape Verde tourism product. AMEX INTERNATIONAL 8/2012-10/2012 Guatemala TOURISM EVALUATION/INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT ▪ Conducted an evaluation of the USAID/Guatemala Community Tourism Alliance Project ($6 million/6 years), encompassing cultural heritage, biodiversity conservation, public-private partnerships, tourism products, destination management, value chains. ▪ Conducted field interviews and analysis to provide lessons learned to be adapted in new project. ▪ Identified potential partnerships and made recommendations for policy, institutional and capacity-building for follow-on programs. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 10/2010 – 5/2011 East Africa Regional Mission/Kenya CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISOR/INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT ▪ Conducted initial assessment for the design of a $30 million climate change and adaptation strategy for East African region. ▪ Conducted a SWOT analysis to provide policy, institutional, and capacity-building recommendations. ▪ Identified potential partnerships and methodology for engagement of public-private sector. DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES INC., Mozambique 4/2010 – 8/2010 TOURISM SPECIALIST/INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT ▪ Conducted a strategic analysis of the tourism sector in Northern Mozambique, identifying clusters and value chains, potential partners, and key stakeholders. ▪ Developed potential tourism products and advised on destination management improvements. ▪ Identified cross cutting solutions and made recommendations for impact investment opportunities. UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM, Geneva 8/2009 – 11/2009 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FINANCE SPECIALIST/INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT ▪ Developed a business case for a global network to promote sustainable investments in tourism. This network is now operating as the Sustainable Investment and Finance Network. ▪ Evaluated the Inter-American Bank’s Tourism Sustainability Scorecard for relevance to the private sector. Made recommendations for adapting criteria and indicators to measure sustainability and monitor compliance.
- 4. ROBIN MASON RESUME, PAGE 3 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM EXPERT UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1990 – 2008 Washington DC/Mozambique GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE LEADER ▪ Led a worldwide $15 million public-private partnership in forestry for USAID’s Global Development Alliance Office. This resulted in partnerships with the World Wildlife, Home Depot, Ikea, and Lowes Home Improvement to increase market linkages throughout the value chain for the supply and demand of certified forest products. ▪ Developed a policy paper on certification issues pros/cons for USAID. This led to high-level policy changes in the legislative bureau and inter-governmental discussions on sustainable financing. ▪ Designed a Strategic Objective Framework for sustainable tourism and the environment sector in Mozambique. This resulted in a $5 million project targeting the private sector to adopt corporate environmental leadership. ▪ Served as an advisor and liaison to the private sector on trade, tourism and environment initiatives, representing the USG on high-level meetings with multilateral and bilateral donors. Assessed environmental impacts of projects and participated in strategic land-use corridor plans resulting in sustainable investments. ▪ Conducted a Biodiversity and Tropical Forestry Analysis (Section 118/119 Report) for Mozambique. This resulted in baseline survey and analysis of threats to biodiversity and forest conservation. ▪ Managed scores of grants and contracts over $5 million and represented the US Government and private organizations at community, district, national, and international levels. ▪ Served as the Mission Environment Officer ensuring over $45 million projects were designed and implemented in compliance with US environmental regulations. Professional Training: Integrated Environmental Management/University of Cape Town Applied Environmental Economics, University of London Leadership Skills, Management Concepts ISO 14001(EMS) Lead Auditor Fundamentals of Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure (IACET) USAID Global Development Alliance Workshop USAID Development Credit Authority Course Contracting Technical Officer’s Courses (Grants and Acquisitions) OFDA’s Rapid Environmental Assessment Training USAID Economic Growth Course Gender Analysis/WID Training/USAID Project Management Course/USAID ASSETS/Environmental Training/USAID Environmental Assessment Training/USAID Grants Management/USAID Reaching for Results Workshop/USAID Determining High Conservation Value Forests
- 5. Other: George Washington University Tourism Alumni Network (GWTAN), Member of the Board Georgetown University Advisor to the School of Hospitality Management