The objective of the consultancy was to support CAF in the technical, institutional and economic structuring of the loan operation requested by the Government of Argentina to CAF, to partially finance the “Strategic Plan for Sustainable Tourism (PETS) of Catamarca – Infrastructure Program”. Specifically, the tasks focused on: (i) the technical, institutional and economic evaluation of the Program; ii) identify technical and institutional risks that may affect the execution of the Program; and iii) to make recommendations to the structuring of the Program, including the identification of institutional strengthening activities of the Executing Agency.
From the diagnosis made, there is a strong tourist potential in the province of Catamarca, which has unique natural sites, six thousand meters high volcanoes, several archaeological sites, fauna reserves, religious monuments, and recognized cultural and craft traditions. In spite of this potential, the tourist activity in the area is incipient, seasonal and with little development of specific services and infrastructures. To respond to this problem, the PETS contemplates the implementation, over a 10-year timeframe, of 5 Tourism Development hubs at a geographical level (La Puna, East, West, Center and San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca), and 2 Special programs: one dedicated to the valorization of archeology and another to establish the province as a national and international reference in the production of handicrafts.
(2015) Catamarca. Argentina
FINANCING AGENCY / DONOR: Latin American Development Bank (CAF)
EXECUTING AGENCY: Catamarca’s Ministry of Tourism
DONOR COUNTRY: Venezuela
CONSULTANCY: Project & Program Evaluation
