STATEMENT OF WORK / TERMS OF REFERENCE:
Title: Data collection firm/Individual to assess how tourism can substantially contribute to the economic development of key coastal and fishing communities in Sri Lanka. It will explore the synergies between the tourism and fisheries sectors and identify how both can jointly support sustainable and inclusive growth. Findings will inform the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) on policy and investment options to enhance the contribution of fisheries and tourism to economic development.
Location: Sri Lanka
Due date: November 28, 2025
Background
Tourism in Sri Lanka has emerged as a significant source of income and employment, with strong potential to generate economic benefits for local communities. By stimulating investment and creating demand for local goods and services, tourism can become a powerful driver of inclusive growth.
Fish is a key source of protein in Sri Lanka, yet many fishing communities remain economically vulnerable. Strengthening their linkages with tourismโthrough improved access to markets, reduced post-harvest losses, and integration into tourism-related value chainsโoffers an opportunity to enhance incomes, promote sustainable resource use, and diversify livelihoods.
This study aims to assess how tourism can substantially contribute to the economic development of key coastal and fishing communities in Sri Lanka. It will explore the synergies between the tourism and fisheries sectors and identify how both can jointly support sustainable and inclusive growth. Findings will inform the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) on policy and investment options to enhance the contribution of fisheries and tourism to economic development.
This study forms part of a broader analytical series that seeks to:
i) leverage tourism to build the resilience of livelihoods, assets, and infrastructure;
ii) strengthen fisher livelihoods and the fish value chain through strategic linkages with tourism.
1. OVERALL APPROACH
Survey areas
A.2. Selected AreasBased on the following selection criteria, 3 landscapes (CLs) have been proposed for the suggested analysis.
Patterns of overuse (fishing, agriculture, tourism) โ natural capital degradation.
Potential for future development (aquaculture, tourism) โ green growth and job creation trajectory.
Availability of data and studies โ historical trends of degradation and improvement.
a) Guru Nagar (sample of 170)
b) Jaffna Fort (sample of 100)
c) Panama-Arugam Bay (sample of 20 hotels)
Survey delivery
A.3.3. Sample frames
The firm/individual will be responsible for collecting data from the appropriate source of sample frames: the list of tourists types, lodges, restaurants, agricultural producers, non-agricultural producers (tourist services) and other non-agricultural producers (retailers, other services, non-service businesses), resource extraction producers (e.g., fishers), lists containing poor and non-poor households from which the sample is to be extracted.
The sampling exercise consists of the actual selection of these groups and surveying them either individually or in focus groups. This will be carried out by the firm under the supervision of IFPRI.
A.3.4. Sample size
The number of tourists, lodges, restaurants, agricultural and non-agricultural tourism, non-agricultural producers, resource extraction producers, poor and non-poor households and the CLs are as follows:
Jaffna
Guru Nagar
Arugam Bay
Tourists
30
Hotels and Lodges
20
20
Restaurants
10
10
Tourist businesses
10
10
Non ag business
10
20
Farmer
10
10
Fisher
0
50
Household
10
30
Fish seller
0
30
Fish processor
10
100
170
20
290
Survey content
There are 10 separate surveys designed for each different group. Each survey should take no longer than 20 minutes. The questions mainly ask about the percentage of expenditure they either spent or earned from tourist activities.
2. SPECIFIC TASKS
Deliverables:
The individual/survey company is responsible for:
Enumerator recruitingObtaining the sample frames from the legitimate holders and for conducting the actual selection of businesses or households or villages from the sample frame (when possible), under the supervision of, and in collaboration with IFPRI.Organizing enumerator training (2 days)Pre-test questionnaire (1 day)Ensuring that systems are put in place for the appropriate safeguard of the dataConducting of surveys according to questionnaires provided, following the suggested sampling method, including providing the necessary working materials (tablets, headsets or other necessary equipment) to the enumerators and including sending the token of appreciation to the respondentsQuality control, including follow-up visits or phone calls to correct significant errors.Delivering a full dataset and survey report
Key deliverables
The individual/ Project Manager of the firm will have the overall responsibility for the quality and timely submission of all deliverables, as specified below:
ยท Inception report, finalized Field Procedure Plan and Data management Plan
ยท A complete and clean dataset
ยท Final Data Delivery report (a brief technical report of the survey implementation)
Personnel requirements
The personnel requirements for this project include:
Core Team: The Contractor must provide at least the following staff with the qualifications specified:
- Project Manager
- Field/Data Manager
Field Team: Although the Contractor will determine the number of field teams in consultation with the Team Lead, each field team should be comprised of at least:
- One Field Supervisor
- One Field Technician for the electronic devices
- Enumerators
The Contractor should ensure that the required personnel possess the following requirements:
Project Manager: will coordinate the team and will be responsible for the contractโs deliverables. He or She should have the following skills and expertise:
At least a bachelorโs degree in a relevant field, such as economics, statistics, social policy, sociology, development studies, agronomy, or other relevant subjects;
At least three projects (surveys and/or impact evaluations) as lead manager carried out in the past 5 years;
Sound knowledge of Sri Lankaโs rural economy
Field Manager/Data Manager
At least a bachelorโs degree in economics, statistics, social policy, sociology, development studies, agronomy, or other relevant subjects;
Previous experience in primary surveys;
Proven knowledge and experience with statistical software (CS-Pro, SPSS, Stata, Open Data Kit)
Enumerators
At least high-school diploma
Proven knowledge and experience of surveying techniques, for both individual and group interviews