As part of HoKa Skills Day 2026, held under the overarching theme “Skills for a Shared Future: Empowering Tourism Professionals through Lifelong Learning,” the first panel discussion was conducted under the title “Skills for Career Advancement: Building Lifelong Learning Pathways for Tourism Professionals.”
The panel discussion was organised to promote the exchange of perspectives, knowledge, and practical experiences among representatives of government institutions, international development partners, training institutions, and the private sector. It aimed to facilitate collaborative dialogue and identify effective pathways for professional skills development that respond to actual labour market demands and the evolving needs of the tourism and hospitality sectors.
In particular, the discussion focused on establishing continuous learning and career development pathways by linking skills training with employment opportunities, practical workplace-based learning, the enhancement of professional competencies, and the recognition of skills acquired through work experience. Lifelong learning is a crucial factor in enabling tourism professionals to continuously strengthen their competencies, adapt to changing circumstances, and expand their opportunities for career advancement.
Moderator
Dr. Chuob Ratana, Director of the Department of Tourism Professional Training and Head of the Secretariat of the HoKa Project Management Committee (HPMCC).
Distinguished Panellists
The discussion featured distinguished speakers who shared their professional experiences and perspectives, including:
1. Mr. Kong Dara, Skills Development Programme Manager at Swisscontact.
2. Mr. Pich Kimhean, Board Member of the Cambodia Tourism Association (CATA).
3. Ms. Men Makara, Deputy Executive Director of the Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE) organisation and Director of the PSE Institute.
4. Mr. Haon HARB (Tony), General Manager of P.S Hospitality Group.
5. Mr. Sin Panya, Cluster General Manager at Elite Hospitality & Management.
Through the participation of experienced professionals and experts from relevant sectors, the panel discussion was expected to generate new perspectives and practical recommendations for designing skills development pathways and supporting career progression among tourism professionals. Furthermore, it sought to encourage more active engagement among all relevant stakeholders in building a skills development system that is flexible, inclusive, and sustainable, thereby contributing to the long-term development of human capital and the enhancement of service quality in Cambodia’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
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#HoKaSkillsDay2026 #SkillsForASharedFuture #LifelongLearning #TourismSkillsDevelopment #TourismProfessionals #HospitalitySkills #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalSkills
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