Hospitality Kampuchea Training Program Expands to New Provinces in Cambodia
In an ambitious move aimed at boosting Cambodia’s tourism sector, the Hospitality Kampuchea (HoKa) training program is set to expand its reach to Koh Kong and Kampong Chhnang provinces. This development opens new avenues for local youth interested in carving a future in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Swiss Funding Fuelling Cambodian Dreams
The expansion of the HoKa program is being funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), a beacon of support for Cambodia’s burgeoning tourism industry. The program has already sculpted a bright future for over 4,000 disadvantaged youths across ten provinces, turning them into skilled professionals ready to take the tourism industry by storm.
High-level Meeting Sets the Stage
On January 10, Cambodia’s Tourism Minister Sok Soken and Markus Buerli, the SDC’s Director of Cooperation in Cambodia, convened in a crucial meeting. The agenda was centered around the BUILD+3Ds initiative, a grand scheme aimed at transforming Cambodia into a vibrant and sustainable tourism destination with a strong focus on human resources development.
Blueprint for the Future
During the meeting, the duo also discussed the promotion of vocational skills needed to meet national and ASEAN standards. They mulled over the potential implementation of a second phase of the Skills Development Programme from 2024 to 2028. The introduction of an electronic recognition of prior learning assessment platform (E-RPL) and the bolstering of destination management were also on the table. The parties agreed to fortify tourism cooperation through vocational training programs, ensuring that Cambodia retains its allure as an attractive and competitive tourism destination.