Dipl-Geogr. Kai Partale

Kai Partale studied Tourism Geography, Business Administration, and Sociology. His professional career began in 1998 at the European Tourism Institute GmbH at the University of Trier, where he held various roles, including responsibility for the institute’s offices in China and Switzerland.

Since 2004, he has been engaged in international hospitality, leisure, and tourism projects for clients such as the European Commission, the World Bank, the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank, the OECD, UN Tourism, and GIZ, with assignments across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Since 2009, he has also served as Managing Partner of benchmark:services.

As a distinctive added value, Kai combines a strong international network at the highest decision-making levels with decades of practical experience in analysing and implementing sustainable and financially viable development approaches – to the benefit of both international and national clients.

Latest Publication: Partale, K. (2025) Destination Management Handbook: A structured guide for the development and management of Viet Nam’s destinations. With contributions from Cao Dai Hung and Truong Nam Thang. Hanoi: Asian Development Bank (TA 6776-VIE).

Expertise

  • Destination Management
  • Urban and Regional development
  • Hotel development and management
  • Tourism Master Planning
  • Investment Promotion
  • Tourism Marketing
  • Sustainability strategies
  • Evaluation and Monitoring
  • Education and training
  • Workshop Moderation
  • Congress and Event Management
  • Project management and implementation services

Personal References

  • Tourism Human Capital Strategy for the Province Gansu, China
    Client: UN Tourism / World Bank
  • Tourism Policy Dimension in the Competitiveness Outlook 2024 for the countries of the Western Balkans as part of the OECD Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia and Serbia
    Client: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  • Development and implementation of the Vietnam Tourism Development Index 2024
    Client: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO / Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
  • Training programme for the management of tourism destinations in Yen Bai Province, 2024
    Client: Asian Development Bank
  • Digital Transformation, Product Development and Innovation Project, Jordan (assessment of Jordan's tourism sector organisations, national product development concept, development of an MSME-focused destination plan for Aqaba, creation of a digital marketing strategy for the diving sector, introduction of the Green Fins programme for the diving industry, management of the re-branding of Aqaba as “By Nature”, development of the new destination website, and support for tourism experiences)
    Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH / GOPA Consultants GmbH
  • Organisation and facilitation of the GIZ Tourism Expert Exchange from the region of Southern/Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Caucasus, Afghanistan in 2021, 2022, 2023
    Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
  • Eco-tourism Master Plan for Cuc Phuong National Park 2023 -2030
    Client: Asian Management and Development Institute  / WWF Vietnam / USAID
  • Organisational framework for the restructuring of the National Tourism Agency and the establishment of destination management organisations, Albania
    Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH / mascontour GmbH
  • Tourism Marketing Strategy for the Tourism Advisory Board including monitoring and evaluation recommendations, Vietnam
    Client: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO / GFA Consulting Group GmbH
  • Technical studies on the reopening to international visitors and the impact of the pandemic on the travel behaviour of Vietnamese international source markets
    Client: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO / GFA Consulting Group GmbH
  • Development and implementation of the Vietnam Tourism Competitiveness Index 2019, 2021
    Client: DT Global / European Commission
  • Feasibility study for a Hotel & Tourism College / Centre of Competence (CoC) KfW TVET Programme, Georgia
    Client: KfW / Planco Consulting GmbH
  • Visitor Management Plan for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Trang An, Vietnam
    Client: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO / GFA Consulting Group GmbH
  • Tourism Marketing Plans for Quang Nam, Can Tho and Ninh Binh 2021-2022, Vision until 2025, Vietnam
    Client: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO / GFA Consulting Group GmbH
  • Tourism Development Strategy Quang Nam 2020-2030, Vietnam
    Client: SECO / GFA Consulting Group GmbH
  • Sustainable Tourism Communication Strategy for the Sustainable Tourism and Competitiveness Project, Vietnam
    Client: SECO / GFA Consulting Group GmbH
  • Labour market assessment and training needs analysis of the tourism sector, Maldives
    Client: Ministry of Higher Education / World Bank
  • Value Chain Analysis for Sustainable Tourism in Egypt
    Client: Compass GmbH/ Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI), Netherlands Enterprise Agency
  • Feasibility study and evaluation of the lab of tomorrow ’Hospitality Passport’ concept in the Governorate Red Sea on behalf of GIZ and its partners TUI / TUI Care Foundation and JAZ Hotel Group
    Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
  • Tourism sector study and strategies to improve competitiveness of tourism MSME in Jordan
    Client: ICON-INSTITUT GmbH Private Sector, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
  • External Positioning and Marketing to support the local authorities in the Eastern Partnership Countries: Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus
    Client: ECORYS, European Commission
  • Member of the evaluation jury of the Responsible Tourism Tanzania Award, Tanzania
    Client: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, SECO
  • Tourism marketing, promotion, online coverage and destination management for Kakheti and Imereti regions in Georgia
    Client: ECORYS, Municipal Development Fund of Georgia / World Bank
  • Service Quality in Tourism within the programme:  Technical Assistance for Revitalisation of History in Sanliurfa, Turkey
    Client: Project Group International, European Commission
  • ‘Utilizing tourism FDI as a leverage for sustainable development’ for the Investment Policy Review Cape Verde
    Client: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
  • Support to Sustainable Tourism Development in Belarus
    Client: European Profiles, European Commission
  • HRD Strategy for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector within the programme: Support to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Reform Programme in Egypt – TVET Phase II
    Client: GFA Consulting Group GmbH, European Commission
  • Sustainable Certification Programme for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Curacao
    Client: Eurecna, European Commission
  • Trade Development Programme / Business Linkages, Tanzania
    Client: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, SECO
  • Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Development Programme, Vietnam
    Client: GOPA Consultants GmbH, European Commission
  • MICE market development - National Strategy & Convention Bureau, Rwanda
    Client: COMPASS GmbH/Rwanda Development Board
  • Tourism as a tool of regional development within the International Leadership Training Program "Innovative Local / Regional Economic Development and Trade Promotion in SADC"
    Client: Applicatio, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
  • Regional capacity-building workshops for the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) on investment promotion in tourism
    Client: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
  • Planning and implementation of the ITB Convention & Culture Partnership 2011 for Mongolia
    Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
  • Technical Education and Training in Hotel and Tourism, Jordan
    Client: GFA Consulting Group GmbH, European Commission
  • Feasibility Study for a Center of Competence in Tourism (Hospitality and Restaurants), Egypt
    Client: GFA Consulting Group GmbH, European Commission
  • Institutional Strengthening of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, Egypt
    Client: Baden-Württemberg International, EU Twinning
  • Management training for the National Tourism Organization, Germany
    Client: Yemen Tourism Promotion Board
  • Gap analysis for the development of vocational training in hotel and catering industry, Egypt
    Client: GFA Consulting Group GmbH, European Commission
  • Investment Promotion in Tourism, Geneva/Switzerland
    Client: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
  • Community-Based Tourism for the Sabie Game Park (Extension Kruger National Park), Mozambique
    Client: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Center for Investment Promotion in Mozambique
  • Consulting and research activities in the Swiss Tourism Market, Samedan/St. Moritz, Switzerland
    Client: Europäisches Tourismus Institut an der Academia Engiadina (ETI AE)
  • Strategic Tourism Marketing Plan for the Yemen Tourism Promotion Board, Yemen
    Client: Yemen Tourism Promotion Board, Ministry of Tourism
    Evaluation of an Interreg project, Germany /Holland
    Client: TI Plan, EU-Interreg
  • Design of a resort and investor materials, Yemen
    Client: European Investment and Business Development
  • Strategic Tourism Development Plan, Mongolia
    Client: ICON-INSTITUT GmbH Private Sector, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
  • Development of tourism master plans, China
    Client: European Tourism Institute (ETI)
  • Feasibility Study for Alp Sprella to develop into a Swiss Alpine Club Lodge on behalf of the Section Engiadina Bassa of the Swiss Alpine Club, Switzerland
    Client: ETI AE/ Swiss Alpine Club Section Engiadina Bassa
  • Comparative assessment of quality of German town spas, Germany
    Client: ETI / Ministries of Economic Affairs and Health or spa associations of the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Thuringia and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as well as individual towns in Baden-Württemberg
  • Following projects for the employer European Tourism Institute:
  • Management seminar for Polish business and government executives for the Ministry of Economics in Warsaw, Poland
  • Tourism development concept for revitalizing the river front of Hai He in the city of Tian Jin for the Tian Jin Institute of Urban Planning and Design, China
  • Tourism development concept for the region of SaarLorLux-Western Palatinate, Wallonia Region, French- and German-speaking communities of Belgium for the Ministry of Economics of the Saarland, Germany
  • On-site evaluations of European train stations and airports for the German Automobile Club e.V. (ADAC), Germany
  • Tourism mission statement for the destination of Eastern Frisia for the provinces of Aurich, Leer, Friesland, Wittmund, Ammerland and the cities of Emden and Wilhelmshaven, Germany
  • Tourism development concept for the European boarder region Saar-Pfalz-Bitcherland for the Airfield GmbH Aeroville Zweibrücken, Germany
  • City tourism development concept for the city of Bad Hönningen, Germany
  • Tourism mission statement for the Spa Esens-Bensersiel, Germany
  • Developing a cross-boarder information and communication network for the state of Luxemburg and Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany/Luxemburg
  • Comparative analysis of spas: An instrument for the re-positioning of spas competing in the spa- and health tourism sector for the Ministry of Economics, Technology and Transport of the State of Lower Saxony, Germany
  • Implementation of the tourism symposium Rhineland-Palatinate for the Ministry of Economics, Transport, Agriculture and Vineyards of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Study report about the regional economic effects of Airports in the case of Frankfurt-Hahn Airport for the Ministry of Economics, Transport, Agriculture and Vineyards of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Moderation of a steering committee process for the implementation of the city tourism development concept of the city of Bad Hönningen, Germany
  • Lecturer on the topics of tourism marketing management, tourism politics, sports marketing and sponsorship, cultural heritage management at various educational institutions

Publications

  • Partale, K. (2025) Destination Management Handbook: A structured guide for the development and management of Viet Nam’s destinations. With contributions from Cao Dai Hung and Truong Nam Thang. Hanoi: Asian Development Bank (TA 6776-VIE).
  • Partale, Alexandra; Partale, Kai (2022): Diversification as a Key Strategy for more Innovation and Competitiveness in Tourism: A Practical Guide for Development Cooperation, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Bonn and Eschborn
  • Partale, Alexandra; Partale, Kai (2021): Inclusion and Tourism: Analysis and Practical Approaches for Development Cooperation Projects, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Bonn and Eschborn
  • Partale, Kai (2020): The tourism value chain - Analysis and practical approaches for development cooperation projects, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Bonn and Eschborn
  • Partale, Kai; Shahateet, Maysaa (2019): Jordan’s Tourism Sector Analysis and Strategy for Sectoral Improvement: GIZ Jordan; Employment-oriented MSME Promotion Project (MSME). - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
  • Partale, Alexandra; Partale, Kai (2019): Destination management in developing and emerging countries. Handbook and guidelines for building sustainable destination management organizations, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Bonn and Eschborn
  • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (2018): Investment Policy Review Cabo Verde, United Nations: New York and Geneva
  • Partale, K.; Traskevich, A. (2018): Metodicheskij podhod k razrabotke strategii razvitija turizma na primere Narochanskoj destinacii [Methodological approach to the tourism development strategy and its application to Naroch destination], Belorusskiy Ekonomicheskiy zhurnal = Belarusian Economic Journal, 2018, 1: 131–146.
  • World Tourism Organization (2015), First UNWTO International Conference on Spiritual Tourism for Sustainable Development, Ninh Binh Province, Viet Nam, 21–22 November 2013, p.115-125, UNWTO, Madrid.
  • Partale, K. (2013): In depth: developing occupational skills standards in Vietnam’s tourism sector.- in: The World Bank: Vietnam Development Report 2014, Skilling up Vietnam - Preparing the work-force for a modern market economy, pp. 129, Washington D.C.
  • Abulzahab, T.; Partale, K.; Röthig, H. (2011): Standortwerbung und Unternehmensansiedlung - Ein Leitfaden aus der Praxis für die Praxis.- Verlag Wissenschaft und Praxis
  • Partale, K. et al. (2010): Promoting Foreign Investment in Tourism.- (=Investment Advisory Series, Series A, number 5), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, New York, Geneva
  • Partale, K.; Scherhag, K. (2008): Script for Tourism Marketing Management, (= Arbeitsmaterialien School for Tourism), Frankfurt
  • Hallerbach, B.; Partale,K.; Quack, H.-D. (2008): The reputation of Switzerland as a tourist destination - Representative survey of the summer vacations of Germans.- In: Yearbook of the Swiss tourism industry, 2008, St. Gallen
  • Partale, K. (2006): Hotel and Tourism Vocational Education and Training in Arabia Felix.- In: Arabia Felix, Winter 2006, Issue no. 1, p. 102-105
  • Partale, K.; Scherhag, K. (2005): Practical Destination Management: Product approaches for cross-border tourism in the Greater Region SaarLorLux .- In: Location, Journal of Applied Geography, Issue 4
  • Partale, Kai (2004): Tourism Development in China - growth without limits? In: Location, Journal of Applied Geography, Issue 2
  • Partale, Kai (2003): Current challenges for the tourism policy at the case of Rhineland-Palatinate. Interview with the speakers of the Tourism Ministry for Economics, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture of Rhineland-Palatinate .- In: Location, Journal of Applied Geography, Issue 3
  • Fischer, I.; Scherhag, K.; Partale, K. (2001): Hotels.- In: BBE Unternehmensberatung (ed.): Industry Report, Cologne
  • Partale, Kai (2001): Fun and trendy offerings as a positioning element of tourist destinations - with special emphasis on spatial issues. - In: Katja Faby, Martin L. Fontanari, Mathias Treinen (Eds.): Fun and trendy sports as a tourism magnet, 9. Tourism-Forum-Luxembourg (=ETI, No. 18), Trier
  • Fischer, I.; Scherhag, K.; Partale, K. (2000): Business travel.- In: BBE Unternehmensberatung (ed.): Industry Report, Cologne
  • Kern, A.; Partale, K. (2000): New ideas for the German tourism.- In: M. Fontanari, K. Scherhag (ed.): Competition of destinations. experiences - concepts - visions, p. 333-342, Gabler Verlag, Wiesbaden