Ecotourism Manager

The Association for the Protection of Jabal Moussa (APJM) is a Lebanese not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, founded in 2007 with the aim to conserve the biodiversity and preserve the cultural heritage of Jabal Moussa mountain and surrounding villages.

As part of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve program, APJM strives to reconcile the conservation of Jabal Moussa with the sustainable development of its surrounding communities. Ecotourism stands out as an initiative reconciling both objectives.

APJM received its first funding for a tourism project in 2009, and soon afterwards, ecotourism became a self-sustainable growing program, attracting more partners and benefiting more locals. APJM’s ecotourism infrastructure is completely community-based, comprising, as direct contributors, 3 office staff, 15 guides, 7 guards, and 7 guesthouses. There are currently 15 trails, 2 main entrances, and 5 cultural sites within Jabal Moussa.

Through its community-based ecotourism infrastructure, APJM managed to attract an increasingly growing number of visitors, reaching 41,000 visitors in 2023. Jabal Moussa was also awarded the TripAdvisor's Travelers choice award for 5 consecutive years since 2019, and received the designation of “Environmental Tourism Landmark” from the Ministry of Tourism in 2023.

Objective:

The primary objective of the Ecotourism Manager is to develop, manage, and promote sustainable ecotourism activities within Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve. The aim is to ensure the delivery of high-quality sustainable tourism services experiences for visitors, enhance the visitor’s experience and satisfaction, generate income for the local community and the reserve, and promote conservation awareness.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
   • Develop and implement an annual Ecotourism Action Plan aligned with the goals and objectives of Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve
   • Oversee the execution of the Ecotourism Action Plan, ensuring timely and effective completion of tasks
   • Continuously adapt the Action Plan based on visitor’s feedback, BR goals, and local needs and skills
2. Operations Management
   • Oversee the day-to-day operations of ecotourism activities
   • Ensure clear responsibilities, written procedures, and proper communication and coordination among the ecotourism team (guards at different entrances, guides and staff)
   • Develop and communicate procedures for handling accidents, injuries, lost persons, fires, and other emergencies
   • Ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations
3. Visitor Management and Experience
   • Ensure high standards of customer service and visitor satisfaction
   • Seek, gather and analyze visitor feedback to continuously improve the ecotourism experience (including feedback form, direct contact, Google reviews, TripAdvisor…)
   • Develop packages customized to visitor needs, including educational visits, outdoor yoga tours, archaeological tours …
   • Regularly review information provided to visitors and ensure optimization and consistency across the various tools: website, phone calls, emails, brochures, social media, etc…
   • Implement strategies to manage visitor flow, especially during peak seasons, and reduce disparities among entrances and service providers
4. Marketing and Promotion
   • Develop marketing materials and campaigns to promote Jabal Moussa as a premier ecotourism destination
   • Enhance the ecotourism’s team skills and capacities to promote the local products and services
   • Monitor and improve product sales at reserve entrances
   • Monitor and improve attractiveness and volume of guest house visits (lunch and overnight)
   • Establish partnerships with travel agencies, tour operators, schools and other stakeholders
   • Engage with media (radio, TV, blogs…) and participate in media appearances and tourism events to promote ecotourism activities and enhance their visibility
   • Develop engaging content for social media, website, and promotional materials
   • Identify and assess potential opportunities for new products and services within the Biosphere Reserve, based on visitor needs
5. Quality Control and Service Consistency
   • Regularly monitor, review and update the infrastructure of trails, visitor centers, facilities, and equipment for safety and accessibility; as well as
   • Develop and regularly update tourism information on site: brochures, panels, paint blazing, etc…
   • Develop and implement clear standards for guesthouses, guides, and guards to ensure consistent and high-quality service
6. Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building
   • Establish and maintain positive relationships with local stakeholders and strengthen sense of belonging to the Biosphere Reserve among the local stakeholders
   • Leverage local resources and heritage to create unique visitor experiences and packages
   • Conduct regular training and capacity-building sessions for guides, guards, guesthouses and relevant stakeholders in various subjects: hospitality, food safety, communication, heritage knowledge, first aid…
7. Environmental Conservation and Accessibility
   • Promote the “Leave No Trace” principle among visitors, staff, and stakeholders
   • Implement waste reduction and sorting initiatives at key entrances
   • Enhance the eco-friendliness of services provided by guesthouses and guides
   • Enhance the accessibility of trails and services to people with disabilities

Qualifications:
●    Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field
●    Minimum of 5 years of experience in ecotourism management or a similar role
●    Proven experience in project management
●    Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans and marketing campaigns
●    Proficiency in providing content for digital marketing tools and social media platforms
●    Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills
●    Knowledge of sustainable tourism practices and conservation principles

Key Competencies:

• Creative and strategic thinker with problem-solving abilities
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Commitment to conservation, development and sustainable tourism practices
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.