Cambodia Sets Ambitious Goal to Train 2,200 Tourism Professionals by 2024

• Sommana Yan
• 22 July 2025
• Local News
• 1278 Views

Cambodia is poised to enhance its tourism industry as it aims to train around 2,200 professionals to meet ASEAN standards by the year 2024. This initiative, which includes the recognition of prior learning qualifications, was highlighted during a regional workshop titled “Building the Capacity of ASEAN Focal Points Assessors on the Guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning of ASEAN Tourism Professionals,” held on July 15, 2025. The workshop featured remarks from H.E. Huot Hak, the Minister of Tourism.

H.E. Huot Hak emphasized the importance of developing the skills of tourism sector professionals through effective capacity-building initiatives. “The establishment of ASEAN Focal Points Assessors and adherence to the ASEAN RPL Guidelines are essential for addressing the evolving demands of our tourism market and fostering human resource development,” he stated.

Highlighting the tourism sector as a vital component of Cambodia’s economy, H.E. Hak referred to it as “green gold” and a key economic backbone. He noted that the growth of tourism in the country is supported by a foundation of macroeconomic stability and social harmony. Furthermore, he reinforced the government’s commitment to achieving the Cambodia Vision 2050, which aspires to transform the nation into a high-income economy.

In conjunction with these training efforts, the National Committee of Tourism Experts has begun recognizing tourism vocational training schools and partner universities that have effectively implemented the ASEAN curriculum in 18 designated capitals and provinces. To date, approximately 8,989 students are enrolled in tourism vocational training programs.

As part of this ongoing development, by 2024, Cambodia anticipates that around 2,200 tourism professionals will have successfully completed assessments in accordance with ASEAN standards. This includes 30 ASEAN-certified trainers specializing in hotel services—encompassing areas such as front office, housekeeping, food services, and travel services—alongside 773 national trainers and assessors in hotel and travel services.

With these initiatives in place, Cambodia is on track to strengthen its tourism workforce, ensuring a brighter future for the sector and further contributing to the nation’s economic prosperity.

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• Economic and finance