Request for Proposals: Ô Tours Market Analysis and
Business Development Plan
Issue Date: November 18, 2024
Closing Location:
Erwan Bouchaud, Chief Executive Officer, Entreprises Riel & Tourisme Riel
40-614, Des Meurons Street
Winnipeg, MB R2H 2P9
Telephone: (204) 233-7799
Email: ebouchaud@entreprisesriel.com
Closing Date & Time:
One (1) digital PDF must be received entitled “Ô Tours Market Analysis and
Business Development Plan”
by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 PM CST
Introduction
Proposal Submittal
Tourisme Riel, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is requesting proposal submittals from qualified consulting firms to conduct a strategic analysis, and develop a business plan of its affiliate tourism operator company, Ô Tours.
Our goal with this project is to better understand current market potential in order to best strategically position Ô Tours for success and develop an analysis-informed business framework that will ultimately guide future operations.
Background
Tourisme Riel is a major player in the field of Francophone tourism, dedicated to promoting the rich cultural heritage and living history of its communities, which include St. Boniface, St. Vital, and St. Norbert. Through initiatives aimed at improving the visitor experience and community engagement, we contribute to strengthening the local tourism economy and supporting sustainable development.
Ô Tours, a branch of Tourisme Riel, is a receptive tour operator specializing in a comprehensive range of travel services for inbound tourists. We highlight hidden gems that showcase authenticity, uniqueness, and the renowned warmth of Manitoban hospitality.
Our services include scheduled and customized city tours, itinerary planning, step-on guide services with multilingual support, accommodation, ground transportation, airport transfers, and meet-and-greet programs. We offer a variety of experiential programs such as French Quarter tours, agricultural tours, art tours, festival packages, heritage experiences, nature excursions, culinary adventures, and other tailored packages. We cater to diverse groups, including seniors, schools, affinity groups, bands, conventions, reunions, and more. By working closely with local stakeholders and tourism businesses, we design engaging and memorable offers for inbound travelers.
To this end, Tourisme Riel seeks to engage a consultant to conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing business operations, recommend strategies to capitalize on current trends, and identify new growth opportunities for Ô Tours. The consultant will also develop a business plan outlining actionable steps to realize these opportunities and create an implementation strategy to maximize the potential of the Rendez-Vous Canada 2025 event (RVC), scheduled to take place from May 27 to May 30 in Winnipeg.
Project Objectives & Scope
Tourisme Riel’s approach to the market analysis and business plan development is one based on collaboration and supported by evidence and includes a focus on plan execution by its team upon completion of the project. Based on this approach, Tourisme Riel is seeking consultant services for the following four (4) project areas:
- Market Analysis / Gap Analysis
- Building on the existing assessment of current tourism trends and market dynamics, conduct a thorough analysis to identify key target markets and evaluate competitor strategies. Provide actionable insights to identify potential areas for growth and innovation.
- Assess existing gaps in the current product offerings within the market and recommend opportunities for Ô Tours to address these gaps effectively.
- Business Analysis
- Perform a detailed SWOT analysis to evaluate Ô Tours’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
- Conduct a comprehensive financial and marketing analysis of Ô Tours, including an evaluation of pricing, product offerings, distribution channels, and promotional strategies.
- Create a positioning map to visualize Ô Tours’ competitive standing within the market.
- Future Business Development Plan
- Identify potential new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, and alliances that align with Ô Tours’ mission.
- Develop practical and actionable strategies to capitalize on these opportunities, including detailed implementation plans.
- Communication and Marketing Strategy
- Design a targeted communication and marketing strategy to effectively penetrate and capture export markets.
- Develop and implement a strategic plan to maximize the potential of the RVC 2025 event, ensuring optimal visibility and engagement.
Services Provided by Tourisme Riel
In completing the market analysis and business plan, Tourisme Riel shall be responsible for the following:
- Providing direction and clarification pertaining to the project scope of work;
- Providing contact information for relevant project partners;
- Organizing and presenting an overview of Ô Tours operations with the Consultant; and
- Payment of invoices.
Deliverables from the Consultant
In completing the market analysis and business plan, the Consultant shall be responsible for the following deliverables:
- Two (2) progress reports for the duration of the contract;
- One (1) draft of the final report, submitted to Tourisme Riel for review and feedback prior to final report submission; and
- Five (5) hard-bound copies and one (1) digital copy of the final strategic analysis and 5 year plan prepared to the satisfaction of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Entreprises Riel & Tourisme Riel.
- Attendance to RVC 2025 – May 27/30.
All documents/materials pertaining to this project, including the final report, will become the property of Tourisme Riel. The Consultant is expected to meet with the CEO and Tourisme Riel as required in carrying out the deliverables for this contract.
Timeline
The Consultant will be required to complete the project based on the following timeline:
- November 18, 2024 – Issue RFP
- December 2, 2024 – Proposal submission deadline: 12:00 PM CST
- December 6, 2024 – Project awarded to successful applicant
- Week of December 9, 2024 – Contract signature, meeting with the project steering team, start of the project: market/gap/business analysis (phase one)
- January 24, 2025 – Due date for first Progress Report on Phase One
- Week of January 27-31 – Progress Meeting with the project steering team – start of phase two: Future Business Development Plan & Communication and Marketing Strategy
- January 31, 2025 – Invoice due for 30% of total project expenses
- February 24, 2025 – Due date for second Progress Report on Phase Two
- Week of February 24-28 – Progress Meeting with the project steering team
- February 28, 2025 – Invoice due for 30% of total project expenses
- March 21, 2025 – Due date for Draft Final Report
- Week of March 24-28 – First Final Report Review Meeting with the project steering team
- March 31, 2025 – Invoice due for 30% of total project expenses.
- April 2025 – Opportunities for additional Final Report Review Meetings. Implementation of RVC 2025 strategic plan.
- April 30, 2025 – Final Report Submission
- May 2025 – Implementation of RVC 2025 strategic plan.
- May 27-30, 2025 – Attend RVC 2025 and promote O Tours products
- May 31st, 2025 – End of project – Invoice due for 10% of total project expenses
Project Budget
The project budget shall detail the costs of performing the tasks as outlined in this proposal and any expenses required to support their completion, including:
- Literature review on tourism trends, identification of target markets/market dynamics, identification of competitor strategies/case study analysis;
- Identification of new business opportunities/partnerships/strategic alliances, implementation strategies;
- Report writing, document preparation, and meeting organization;
- Training for business plan implementation;
- Marketing and communication materials for RVC 2025;
- Administrative, travel, and other project-related expenses as/if necessary.
Costs for the budget shall be presented in a tabular format and must match those outlined above, broken down into individual tasks as necessary. Appropriate labour rate categories, cost/rate categories, and expense tables should be included as required. All expenses must be in Canadian dollars, and all applicable taxes must be outlined separately.
Contract Negotiation
Tourisme Riel seeks flexibility when arriving at a mutually agreeable final contract. Negotiations may be held with applicants on matters including, but not limited to, price adjustments and/or changes to the project requirements.
Selection Criteria
A selection committee, established by Tourisme Riel, will review all submissions. The criteria that will be used in the screening and selection of the successful applicant include the following:
Demonstrated Related Experience (25%)
- Successful experience in tourism development, market research, strategic planning, and entrepreneurship;
- Demonstrated experience working with minority communities (e.g., Francophone);
- Timely and cost-effective experience in planning/document preparation; and
- Successful experience in meeting project timetables and budgets.
Project Approach (35%)
- The overall approach to be taken by the Consultant in undertaking this project;
- Understanding the opportunities and desired outcomes in conducting a market analysis and developing a business plan; and
- The time required to complete the project.
Consultant Fees & Costs (40%)
- Total cost of completing the project;
- Approach to budgeting and bidding, and how to avoid the “over-budget” experience; and
- Demonstrated successful previous budget performance and experience in meeting project budgets.
Submission Requirements
Proposals must include, at a minimum:
- Name, title, and contact information of the person representing the organization;
- Project team member and sub-consultant (if applicable) biographies, years of experience, roles for this project, and qualifications;
- Descriptions of at least three other projects completed by the organization/project team members of a similar nature;
- The key elements of the organization’s approach to this project, including comprehension of the project, objectives, how major tasks will be accomplished, and why the organization should be selected;
- A proposed project schedule, identifying how the organization/project team members would sequence elements of the project and accomplish specific milestones within the timeline provided, including meetings with the project steering team;
- A project budget – the fee structure should itemize the total cost of consultant fees based on the organization’s approach to the project and include all expenses outlined in the project budget section. A “not-to-exceed” agreement/statement of understanding that the overall expenses for this project shall not exceed the budget quoted by the organization is also required;
- A declaration that the organization agrees to receive payment as outlined in the Timeline section. (A contractor agreement will include an exit clause in the event that the requirements of both the organization and Tourisme Riel are not being met to the satisfaction of either party, in which case a refund for work not completed by the organization will be required);
- Proof of liability insurance; and
- Three (3) references (including name and contact information) who are familiar with the quality of services and demonstrated experience on similar projects by the organization/project team members.
Submission Requirements
Please submit one (1) digital PDF copy of the proposal with the title “Ô Tours Market Analysis and Business Development Plan” by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 PM CST to:
Erwan Bouchaud, Chief Executive Officer, Entreprises Riel & Tourisme Riel: ebouchaud@entreprisesriel.com
