Announcement of Five Million Six Hundred Thousand US Dollars Loan for a Hotel Training Project in Tunisia on June 13, 1974

.N-rERN/\·r, J\~J\L BANK FOR • ,·,; :·coNSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT 1 U 18 H STREET. N.W., WASHINGTON D. C. 20433 TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 Bank Press Release No. 74/50 Subject: $5.6 million loan for a hotel June 13, 1974 training project in Tunisia. The World Bank has approved a $5.6 million loan to Tunisia to help finance a Hotel Training Project. The $12.3 million project includes the construction of three hotel training centers each comprising a hotel school, a EO-bed practice hotel (3-star category), student dormitories, and staff housing for senior faculty; and about 12.5 man-years of technic~l assistance for curriculum development and implementation and for teacher training. When fully developed, the project will annually train about • 1,000 persons for middle level hotel industry positions . Tourism has been Tunisia's most important single source of foreign exchange earnings since 1965. The project is designed substantially to improve the level of service offered in Tunisia's hotels and establish the base in trained middle level personnel for the further expansion of hotel capacity. The project is expected to meet 27 per cent of the country's estimated total requirements for hotel personnel in 1983, and to reduce by over 50 per cent, the cost and period of training. The impact of the project on the hotel industry will be felt through higher standards of service and increased labor productivity, leading to savings in maintenance and operating costs. Ultimately, the project will enhance the reputation of the country as a tourist destination. In 1973, the Tunisian Government engaged ILO to prepare the study of the project. The loan will have a term of 25 years, including 5 years of grace, with interest at 7-1/4% per annum . • Note: Money figures are expressed in US dollar equivalents. PROJECT: T E CHNI CAL DAT A --------- ----- Hotel·Training Project June 13, 1974 • COUNTRY: Republic of Tunisia TOTAL COST: $12. 3 million BANK FINANCING: $5.6 million, for 25 years, including 5 years of grace, with interest at 7-1/4% per annum OTHER FINANCING: A grant of $6.7 million equivalent by the Government, to cover local currency costs. IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Office National du Tourisme et du Thermalisme (ONTT). PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of the construction of three hotel training centers each comprising a hotel school, a 100-bed practice hotel, student dormitories and staff housing; and technical assistance to support curriculum development and implementation and teacher training. PROCUREMENT: Construction - Contracts would be awarded to pre-qualified contractors on the basis of international competitive bidding • in accordance with Bank guidelines. Subject to Bank approval on a case-by-case basis, ONTT would use its local procurement procedures for small contracts estimated not to exceed $100,000. Furniture and E.quipment - Contracts would be awarded on the basis of international competitive bidding in accordance with Bank guidelines. In the evaluation of bids, domestic manufacturers would be accorded a preferential margin of 15 per cent of the C.I.F. price of competing imports or the rate of customs duty applicable, whichever is the lower. CONSULTANTS: For architectural design, preparation of bidding documents, bid evaluation, and construction supervision. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 1978 -0- •