Phnom Penh, December 9, 2024 – H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, presided over the official launch of the Hospitality Kampuchea (HoKa) Phase III (2024–2028) at the Ministry of Tourism headquarters. Joining him were Mr. Reto Grueninger, Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and Mr. Daniel Nugraha, Country Director of Swisscontact Cambodia.
The event was attended by approximately 150 participants, including representatives from relevant ministries, development partners, international and national organizations, provincial deputy governors, provincial tourism departments, tourism industry associations, operators, and experts.
H.E. Minister Huot Hak commended the HoKa Project Management Team for their dedication, in close collaboration with Swisscontact and relevant stakeholders. Since its inception in 2017, HoKa has successfully trained 6,397 individuals, including vulnerable youth, business owners, managers, and tourism professionals. Recognized nationwide, the program stands out for its quality, alignment with industry needs, standardized training materials, and highly skilled trainers.
Key Objectives of HoKa Phase III
Under Phase III, the program aims to train 3,520 individuals in 12 target provinces across Cambodia, including Kratie, Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Kampong Chhnang, Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, and Oddar Meanchey.
Strategic Support and Vision
Mr. Reto Grueninger (SDC) and Mr. Daniel Nugraha (Swisscontact Cambodia) reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Ministry’s strategy for tourism skills development. They pledged continued financial and technical assistance to ensure the program’s success.
The Ministry of Tourism is also advancing the “One Employee, One Skill” campaign, which envisions equipping all tourism professionals with nationally and regionally recognized skills to foster employment opportunities, fair income, and clear career pathways. The campaign aligns with SDG 4 (quality education and lifelong learning) and SDG 8 (economic growth and decent work).
Key Recommendations for HoKa Phase III
During the launch, H.E. Huot Hak outlined critical recommendations for the program’s implementation:
- Strengthen collaboration with Swisscontact, development partners, industry associations, the private sector, and stakeholders to explore nationwide expansion across all 25 provinces.
- Encourage provincial tourism departments to implement both short-term and full-time HoKa training courses.
- Promote in-house training in target provinces through HoKa master trainers certified through rigorous evaluation.
- Enhance training programs and materials, emphasizing women’s participation and entrepreneurship in tourism.
- Effectively implement the “Roadmap for Hospitality Kampuchea (HoKa) Phase III (2024–2028)” as a guiding document for skills development.
- Advocate for vocational training institutions and development partners to adopt HoKa training programs, prioritizing vulnerable and marginalized youth for employment in tourism.
- Collaborate with the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to support proposals for vocational tourism training, including pre-employment training, upskilling, and trainer capacity building.
The Hospitality Kampuchea (HoKa) continues to play a pivotal role in addressing Cambodia’s growing demand for skilled human resources in tourism, fostering sustainable growth, and creating long-term socio-economic benefits for communities across the country.