On July 22nd, 2024, HE Pak Sokhom, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism and Chairman of the Hoka Project Management Committee, presided over the opening ceremony of the “200 Hospitality Skills Training Session 2” at Angkor University.

This program represents a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, the Siem Reap Tourism Club, and the Skills Development Fund (SDF).

It aims to equip 200 young people from across Cambodia with the skills needed to thrive in the hospitality sector. The participants, including 109 women, will receive comprehensive training in essential areas like front office operations, housekeeping, food and beverage service, and culinary expertise.

This initiative directly aligns with the Ministry of Tourism’s vision of transforming Cambodia into a premier tourist destination renowned for its diversity, opportunity, and warm hospitality.

The program complements the strategic initiative ” 5 BUILD + 3Ds, a cornerstone of the Ministry’s development plan under the leadership of HE Sok Soken, Minister of the Minister of Tourism.

The training program addresses a critical need in Cambodia’s tourism sector. While the industry employed an estimated 630,000 young Cambodians in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted that number to only 450,000.

With tourism projected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2024 or 2025, an estimated gap of 180,000 skilled workers needs to be filled. By equipping a new generation with hospitality expertise, this training program directly addresses this skills gap and ensures a robust workforce for the future.

This investment in human resources underscores Cambodia’s commitment to building a resilient and thriving tourism sector. By equipping young people with the necessary skills and knowledge, Siem Reap is well-positioned to capitalize on the anticipated growth of tourism in the coming years.

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A meeting, chaired by Mr. Chuob Ratana, Director of the Department of Tourism Planning and Hoka program Secretariat Director, was held yesterday to discuss the implementation plan. Representatives from the Skills Development Fund (SDF) also participated, focusing on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two entities on January 30, 2024.

The plan outlines several key strategies, where the project will actively promote the SDF to tourism stakeholders through workshops and digital channels, ensuring wider awareness and access to the fund’s resources.

Hoka will continue to partner with tour operators, industry associations, and tourism vocational schools to identify skill needs and develop project proposals tailored to business requirements. These proposals will then be submitted to the SDF for financial support.

Furthermore, moving beyond major cities like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Kampot, and Sihanoukville, the project will expand to new priority provinces. This ensures a wider distribution of benefits and empowers communities across Cambodia.

In collaboration with the Siem Reap Tourism Club Association (STC) and ATP Consultant, Hoka will develop pilot projects for tourism skills training in Siem Reap and other target provinces. These pilots will serve as models for future expansion.

The Hoka program has already trained over 4,106 individuals in essential skills like housekeeping, front office operations, food & beverage service, coffee making, chef training, community tour guiding, and even Hoka training & evaluation itself. This impressive reach, spanning ten provinces, demonstrates the project’s commitment to empowering Cambodia’s tourism industry.

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According to the ministry’s press release, the launch took place on Jan. 30 in Phnom Penh under the auspices of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E. Dr Aun Pornmoniroth.

Initiated and successfully piloted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and partners since March 2018, the launched SDF was themed ‘Develop Your Skill, Develop Your Business, Develop Yourself’.

In his opening address, H.E. Dr Aun Pornmoniroth recommended all ministries, relevant institutions, development partners, and the private sector join hands in supporting SDF to further promote market-demand-driven and ethical human resources in Cambodia, both in terms of quality and quantity.

The event also showcased SDF achievements and hosted the signing of the memoranda of understanding between the trust fund and strategic partners, including the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA), and the Hospitality Kampuchea (Hoka) Steering Committee of the Ministry of Tourism and SwissContact.

From 2024 onwards, the SDF has set key priorities to strengthen the service quality and efficiency of managing and allocating its funds, increase support for training programmes to meet the needs of the private sector and introduce new programmes to further advance its work.

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This remarkable surge, a 139% and 32.8% increase respectively compared to 2022, translated to a hefty $3 billion boost to the national income. The momentum is expected to continue, with projections of 6.2 million international tourists gracing Cambodia’s soil in 2024.

This phenomenal success underscores the Cambodian government’s commitment to prioritizing tourism as a key driver of socio-economic development, as per H.E. Thong Rathsak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism.

On January 15, 2024, H.E. Thong Rathsak addressed attendees at the Cambodia Hospitality Training (HOKA) Outreach Seminar and presided over the Certificate Awarding Ceremony for graduates in Front Office, Food and Beverage, and Basic Coffee Skills in Battambang province.

His excellency added, that in line with the “Pentagon Strategy” focused on economic diversification and competitiveness, the government is actively increasing the range of tourism services and events to attract more visitors and drive local job creation and income growth.

Notably, promoting cultural preservation, environmental protection, and sustainable practices are integral to this vision, aiming to secure a prosperous future for Cambodia as a high-income nation.

Battambang province, nestled around the majestic Tonle Sap Lake, exemplifies this dedication to responsible tourism development. Implementing strict regulations set by the Ministry of Tourism, the province actively diversifies its offerings with innovative and sustainable tourism products. By consistently improving its service quality, Battambang aspires to become a premier tourist destination, drawing both local and international travelers.

The Cambodian Hospitality Training Program (HOKA) plays a crucial role in this growth story. Providing high-quality training to low-skilled hospitality staff, HOKA directly addresses industry needs and empowers individuals.

Additionally, this program equips business owners and managers with valuable skills to grow their ventures. HOKA further extends its reach by building the capacity of trainers in provincial tourism departments, enabling them to train and empower hospitality professionals throughout the region.

In conclusion, Cambodia’s thriving tourism industry is not just about numbers; it’s about creating opportunities, preserving culture, and building a sustainable future. With initiatives like HOKA and focused government efforts, Cambodia is poised to continue its upward trajectory, welcoming visitors from around the globe while cherishing its unique heritage and natural beauty.

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The meeting discussed opportunities for tourism cooperation through the Skills Development Programme (SDP) implemented by Swisscontact and Decent Employment for Youths (DEY) implemented by ILO, which contribute to promoting tourism vocational skills, enhance tourism services under National and ASEAN Standards, especially to contribute to the Royal Governance of Cambodia mandate seven’s policy to provide vocational and education training to 1.5 million disadvantage youths in Cambodia.

According to the press release, H.E. Minister warmly welcomed Mr Markus Beurli and presented the joint strategic initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, known as “BUILD+3Ds”, with the vision to turn Cambodia into a vibrant, competitive, sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism destination. To accomplish the vision, human resources development is one of the priorities, which SDCs’s supported recently.

Mr. Markus Beurly congratulated His Excellency Minister on his appointment as Minister of Tourism for the seventh mandate and demonstrated the strong support of Switzerland under the Swiss Regional Cooperation Programme 2022-2025 which focuses on (1) Government and Citizen participation (2) Inclusive Economic Development (especially in TVET), and (3) Climate Change and Natural Resources Management.

In this regard, H.E. Minister and Mr. Markus Beurly further discussed promoting tourism vocational training by implementing the Skills Development Programme Phase III 2024-2028, developing tourism national qualification, establishing electronic recognition of prior learning assessment platform (E-RPL), and supporting the destination management as well.

Moreover, the H.E. Minister also expressed his appreciation for SDC’s support in providing a hospitality training programme (HoKa) to more than 4,000 disadvantaged youths in the ten target provinces as well as the expansion of HoKa training to Koh Kong and Kompong Chhnang provinces from 2024 onward.

Finally, His Excellency Minister and His Excellency Ambassador expressed their commitment to further strengthen and expand tourism cooperation through tourism vocational training through the above programmes and promote destination management for the attractive and competitive tourism destination.

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To further advance the Hoka hospitality training program, he proposed nine key recommendations:

1. Expand and Elevate: Continue partnerships with Swisscontact, key players in the tourism industry, and stakeholders to bring HoKa training to all 25 Cambodian provinces and priority areas. Promote tourism professionalism through “Hoka Skills Day” events, exhibitions, and competitions.

2. Build a National Framework: Collaborate on a national qualification framework for tourism professionals. This framework, aligned with the ASEAN Qualifications Framework and MRA-TP, will ensure consistency, lifelong learning opportunities, and national/professional qualification balance.

3. Empower Local Tourism: Provincial Departments of Tourism should actively promote HoKa training, through both short courses and full-time programs. This will enhance provincial tourism service quality, create decent employment for youth, and boost their income.

4. Focus on Target Businesses: Implement in-house HoKa training through trained and competent HoKa instructors in targeted tourism businesses within the project provinces.

5. Sustainable Growth: The Tourism Departments of all target provinces must strive for efficient, effective, and transparent project implementation. Strengthening the capacity of Department trainers and private sector instructors will ensure post-project training sustainability.

6. Inclusive and Entrepreneurial: Develop improved HoKa training programs and materials that encourage women’s participation and promote tourism entrepreneurship.

7. Measure and Learn: The HoKa Steering Committee should monitor and study post-training effectiveness to inform national and sub-national human resource development strategies.

8. Empower Vulnerable Youth: Encourage Vocational Training Schools and partner organizations to leverage HoKa to train at-risk youth and migrant families for tourism jobs, securing their income and future.

9. Invest in Skills: Collaborate with Skills Development Funds to support both pre-employment training and upskilling initiatives for tourism professionals and institutions.

The HoKa program has already trained over 4,106 individuals in skills like housekeeping, front office operations, food & beverage service, coffee making, chef training, community tour guiding, and HoKa training & evaluation, across ten provinces. With these nine impactful recommendations, HoKa is poised to further empower Cambodians and solidify Cambodia’s tourism industry.

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• Ministry of Tourism, Swisscontact Cambodia, and partners trained 4,106 young people from poor families by 2023.
• The HoKa Project Management Committee, led by Minister Sok Soken, emphasizes a 12-year commitment to skills development.
• 4,106 participants, including 2,553 women, received training in diverse hospitality fields across 10 provinces.
• Minister Sok Soken commended collaborative efforts in empowering vulnerable youth.
• Cambodia saw a significant 156.9% increase in international tourists in the first 11 months of 2023, which was crucial for the economy.

PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Swisscontact Cambodia and other partners, has provided hospitality training to a total of 4,106 young people from poor and vulnerable families by the end of 2023. This achievement was celebrated at a meeting on December 20, 2023, at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh.

The meeting, chaired by Tourism Minister H.E. Sok Soken and joined by representatives from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), relevant ministries, vocational training schools, and the private sector, reviewed the progress of the HoKa Project Management Committee.

H.E. Pak Sokhom, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism and Chairman of the HoKa Project Management Committee highlighted the long-term commitment to skills development. He noted the committee’s establishment in 2020 and its partnership with Swisscontact Cambodia to implement the Skills Development Project from January 2021. This 12-year project, with phases spanning from 2016 to 2028, underscores the dedication to building a strong hospitality workforce.

Mr. Chuob Ratana, Director of the Tourism Development Planning Department and Head of the Secretariat of the Hoka Training Project Committee detailed the program’s impact. He reported that 4,106 participants (2,553 women) have received training in various hospitality fields, including housekeeping, front office, food and beverage service, coffee making, culinary arts, community tourism guiding, and Hoka trainers and evaluators.

These trainings were provided across 10 target provinces: Kratie, Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, Mondulkiri, Rattanakiri, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, and Oddar Meanchey.

Minister Sok Soken commended the collaborative efforts of the Hoka Project Management Committee and Swisscontact Cambodia in empowering vulnerable youth. He lauded the successful training of 4,106 individuals across the ten target provinces and emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration in achieving this impact on the sector.

Cambodia attracted some 4.92 million international tourists in the first 11 months of 2023, a sharp increase of around 156.9 percent from the same period last year, according to the latest figures of the Ministry of Tourism.

Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy, in addition to garment, footwear, and travel goods exports, agriculture, construction, and real estate. Ministry of Tourism expected the number of international visitors to Cambodia is predicted to reach 7 million by 2025, surpassing the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level of 6.6 million in 2019.

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The Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, which cost approximately $1.1 billion to build, is scheduled to open in October 2023. The Techo International Airport, which cost around $1.5 billion to build, is scheduled to soft open in December 2023.

Yesterday, the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport successfully completed an airport flight demonstration for non-commercial flights and is set to be officially launched in mid-October.

The new Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport will have 38 berths and will be able to handle 7 million air passengers a year in the first phase, and the complete infrastructure will allow the capacity to serve 20 million passengers annually from 2040.

Mr. Chuob Ratana, Director of the Tourism Development Planning Department of the Ministry of Tourism, believes that the private sector should carefully study Cambodia’s priority tourism market and prepare its products and services accordingly.

He also recommends that the private sector provide training to its employees to improve the quality of service and tourism satisfaction.

Mr. Ratana also applauded the Ministry of Tourism’s Hoka project, which is aimed at strengthening the training of human resources in the tourism sector. The project is currently focusing on training food, beverage, and coffee workers in 10 provinces.

Mr. Lor Vichet, Vice President of the Cambodia-Chinese Commerce Association (CCCA), believes that Cambodia’s hospitality sector should focus on building a niche market, such as Best Cuisines, Best Hotel Experience, and Best Spa, to further enhance travelers’ experiences.

He also suggested that Cambodia initiate a “shopper paradise program” whereby international travelers get more benefits, such as Black Friday discounts, by spending more during their stay in Cambodia.

Experts are optimistic about the future of Cambodia’s tourism sector, but they believe that the private sector needs to be prepared for the return of tourists. This includes carefully studying the market, preparing products and services accordingly, and training employees to provide high-quality service.

Cambodia had already received 3.5 million international tourists in the first eight months of the year, an increase of 50.8% compared to the same period in 2022, and is expected to attract a total of 5 million international tourists in 2023 and 8 million in 2028.

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The training program is free and open to unemployed women and the poor. It is divided into three sessions: two sessions on coffee-making and one session on food and beverage service. The course lasts for four months, including two months of theory and two months of internship.

The program is under the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Rural Infrastructure Sustainability Support for Farmers Market and Agricultural Trade (SAAMBAT) Phase II, which is implemented by the Hoka Project Management Committee of the Ministry of Tourism.

Mr. Chuob Ratana, Director of the Tourism Development Planning Department of the Ministry of Tourism, explained that the SAAMBAT project is a free pre-implement course that trains participants to become coffee entrepreneurs. Students receive a $60 monthly stipend.

The program supports tourism by increasing employment in Battambang province, in line with the new government’s strategy. It consists of two phases: 60 candidates for coffee-making and 40 candidates for food and beverage.

Mr. Ratana added that the project will help strengthen the capacity and training of coffee entrepreneurs, as most current business owners learn from work or each other, which limits their knowledge and service. He believes that the sector will be stronger and more prosperous in the future.

In collaboration with the Battambang Provincial Department of Tourism, this project now is running the second round of coffee-making training, there were a total of 33 participants, including 29 women.

The goal of the project is to provide participants with the skills they need to start their own coffee businesses or find jobs in the coffee business. The project also provides participants with benefits and job search assistance after the training.

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