Minu Chawla Email & Phone Number

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Tourism development with a focus on destination & product development. Recent work includes: - Sustainable Tourism Development for Livelihood Improvement of displaced communities (client name and region withheld); - Product planning and design of 10 new destinations in Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya for the Ministry of Tourism, India and State Tourism Departments;- Ecotourism Development for Empowering Rural Youth and Conserving Natural Resources in Meghalaya, for the Asian Development Bank; - Diagnostic study and strategy update of the Buddhist Tourism Circuit, for the Asian Development Bank; - Strategic Framework Development to evaluate and recognise tourism products and experiences creation in the tourism ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, for the Saudi Tourism Authority

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Kewal Engineering Pvt. Ltd. is a family-run business, and a manufacturer and exporter of precision Machined Components, used primarily in automotive applications.

India

https://sd2.tourism.gov.in/Tourism Product Planning & Design Expert as part of INI Design Studio’s team leading the project development and management of 10 new destinations in India. The 10 new destinations are to be developed in Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya under Ministry of Tourism’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Engaged by the Asian Development Bank to conduct an inventory of the current tourism system, the tourism stakeholders, review the current patterns of travel to/within Meghalaya in India's North Eastern Region, and thereby identify the potential for eco-tourism enhancement and improved youth involvement whilst safeguarding the conservation of the area. RWT also assisted in the initial evaluation of masterplans commissioned by the Government of Meghalaya's Tourism Department, and the constituent infrastructure projects being considered to be included in the state's tourism development plans

THE EU ECO-TANDEM Programme is a project co-funded by the COSME programme of the EU. The project aims at boosting sustainable tourism development and increase the capacity building of traditional tourism (and non-tourism) SMEs and innovative startups through transnational and mutual cooperation.The programme scope is to scout innovative solutions for helping traditional SMEs to adopt a more eco-sustainable approach in the tourism industry.During the EU ECO-TANDEM Biz Programme, TANDEMs composed of a start-up and a traditional SME from the tourism sector will work together on a pilot project. The best pilot projects will be awarded funding to be used to implement the project within the tourism SME.As part of the High-Level Advisory Board, I was responsible for selecting the awardee teams. The board consisted of investors, and experts from the field of tourism and sustainability.

Providing strategic and directional support for the implementation of welfare-oriented transformation of the company's blue collar workers' accommodation real estate business

United Arab Emirates

Developed a tourism product masterplan complementing the emirate’s tourism strategy, supported by feasibility studies, product-market assessments, PPP liaising and research. Planned and project managed implementation of the emirate’s flagship tourism projects- Jebel Jais Flight-The World’s Longest Zipline, Jebel Jais Via Ferrata, Jebel Jais Viewing Deck Park, rehabilitation & activation of a heritage site of national importance, among others. Successfully conducted investor and operator search for both the Zipline and Via Ferrata that led to partnerships with Toroverde (Costa Rica) and Absolute Adventure (UAE).Often served as the single point of contact with other RAK government agencies (RAK Municipality, RAK Public Works Department, Department of Antiquities & Museums et cetera) working collectively on projects of tourism relevance.Contributed to the advisory committee of the Palace of the Ruler on various strategy, infrastructure and sustainability projects- such as evaluating a pumped storage project by providing inputs from a tourism point of view; and analysing benefits to tourism from installing outdoor comfort methodologies in high traffic areas of RAK. Led development and implementation of 2 organization-wide digital transformation projects- a digital assets management system utilized by RAKTDA, hotels, DMCs, TOs and other stakeholders across the tourism ecosystem; and a cloud-based project management tool to streamline projects and processes across the organization. Chosen to lead these projects from across the organization for an inherent understanding and affinity for technology and digital.Often invited to participate and contribute in other departments’ processes, such as evaluation and selection of marketing agencies to deliver RAKTDA’s annual digital campaigns, given a mature understanding of social media and digital landscapes.

Berlin, Germany

Expanded into the European market, by transplanting the company to Berlin as HQ.Established supply chain in Europe and India, and introduced products from artisans across India and Sri Lanka, and craft-based tourism.

San Francisco Bay Area

Founded a travel-driven social startup based out of San Francisco, that delivered impact by connecting artisans across the world with customers through an e-commerce platform, virtual museum and craft-based tourism. Followed a content-driven commerce strategy to marry artisan traditions with the $100 billion market of handmade goods & home décor.Established supply chain in the Americas, and introduced products from artisans in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama.

Hyderabad Area, India

Developed and maintained a Business Excellence scorecard based on pan-organisation KPIs and ascertained operational performance trends of Business GroupsDelivered business & financial insight to Product Unit Managers, ensured fiscal prudence and compliance

Munich Area, Germany

Commercial Due Diligence, Market analysis & customer profiling for PE clients, assessed business prospects for M&A clients, among other Strategy & Due Diligence projects

Alajuela, Costa Rica

eGuide Costa Rica was to be a location-aware, GPS-triggered handheld travel assistant for tourists to Costa Rica in the pre-smartphone age. The beta-version was built for and tested at Inbioparque, a biodiversity park in San Jose, Costa Rica.The idea germinated while attending the Entrepreneurship elective within the MBA program at INCAE Business School. It won the INCAE-MIT MediaLab Entrepreneurship challenge and subsequently seed-funding to build the solution through an angel investment by NavSat Costa Rica.The business plan was presented at the Latin Moot Corp at FGV Sao Paulo Brazil, where it won. The win qualified it to the Global Moot Corp at University of Texas, Austin.

Msc

Mba (Hons)