23057156 Bibek Karmacharya Week 9

 Week 9: ASEAN Market Research

Work Placement Experience

This week focused on conducting regional market research to support Trekking Team Pvt. Ltd.’s planned expansion into Bhutan and India. I analyzed trekking trends, seasonal patterns, and tourism policies, and conducted interviews with five regional tour operators.

I compiled these insights into a structured market analysis report, highlighting entry barriers, competitor strategies, and growth opportunities. This task strengthened my research skills and gave me real-world exposure to international market evaluation in the tourism sector.

Key tasks included:

  • Researching trekking trends, seasonality, and tourism policies in Bhutan and India.

  • Interviewing five regional operators to gather first-hand insights on:

    • Regulatory frameworks

    • Preferred travel windows

    • Cultural sensitivities

  • Analyzing competitor offerings and promotional strategies in these markets.

Challenges faced:

  • Navigating complex visa and permit regulations across countries.

  • Adjusting assumptions based on regional climate and infrastructure realities.

Contribution to the Organization

  • Produced a market research report used as the first draft of the South Asia Expansion Strategy.

  • Provided:

    • Seasonal planning suggestions

    • Partnership recommendations

    • SWOT summaries for Bhutan and Northeast India

  • The CEO recognized the report’s strategic value for cross-border planning.

Outcome:
Contributed directly to a high-level strategic initiative and influenced Trekking Team’s roadmap for ASEAN market entry.

Learning & Application of Theory

  • Applied PESTLE Analysis to examine political, economic, and environmental factors impacting adventure tourism.

  • Used SWOT Analysis to compare each country’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

  • Referenced market entry and cultural adaptation theories from international business coursework.

Critical Analysis & Evaluation

Strengths:

  • Strong research methodology and stakeholder outreach.

  • Delivered actionable insights for strategic use.

Areas for improvement:

  • Initially overlooked seasonal restrictions in Bhutan, recommending off-season treks.

  • Learned to validate assumptions through local sources and account for cultural, climatic, and logistical nuances.

Reflection:
This week enhanced my skills in market intelligence, stakeholder communication, and strategic research. It taught me that effective regional expansion planning requires both structured frameworks and deep cultural contextualization.

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