Siem Reap Province: On 20 October 2026, with the high-level authorization of H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, H.E. Chhun Makara, Director General of Tourism Industry Management, accompanied by the Director of the Department of Tourism Professional Training and technical officials from the Department, conducted a visit to Sala Bai Hotel School. The visit aimed to review progress in tourism vocational training in accordance with ASEAN competency standards under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (ASEAN MRA-TP), assess the qualifications of lead trainers, and discuss the development of an alumni capacity-building programme.
On this occasion, H.E. the Director General commended the school’s sustained efforts to develop high-quality training programmes and contribute to human resource development by equipping learners with sound professional skills, strong work ethics, and the competencies required to respond effectively to the practical needs of the tourism industry.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Department of Tourism Professional Training encouraged the institution to continue enhancing curriculum quality, strengthening the capacity of trainers, expanding cooperation with the private sector, and promoting Competency-Based Training (CBT). These efforts are essential to ensuring that graduates possess adequate knowledge, technical skills, and professional competencies to compete effectively in Cambodia’s labour market and across the ASEAN region.
In addition, the proposed alumni development programme represents an important initiative to promote lifelong learning and enable former students to continuously upgrade their skills, gain further professional experience, and adapt to the evolving needs of the tourism industry. Similarly, attention to the qualifications of lead trainers and the regular updating of curricula will contribute to improving training effectiveness and ensuring the delivery of professional tourism services.
It is noteworthy that the school’s training programme lasts 11 months, comprising seven months of theoretical instruction and four months of practical internship placements at partner four- and five-star hotels and restaurants. The school maintains partnerships with more than 20 establishments, providing students with opportunities to gain practical experience in professional hospitality environments.
Over the past 24 years, from 2002 to 2026, Sala Bai Hotel School has implemented tourism vocational training programmes in accordance with ASEAN competency standards under the ASEAN MRA-TP framework, with authorization from the Ministry of Tourism. During this period, the school has trained and graduated a total of 2,200 students.
The school has also reported a total of 148 students enrolled in tourism vocational training programmes aligned with ASEAN competency standards, including 108 female students. The principal areas of training include Front Office Operations, Food and Beverage Service, Culinary Arts, and Spa and Wellness.
The visit demonstrates the Ministry of Tourism’s continued commitment to monitoring and supporting the development of tourism vocational training institutions, while strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors. These collaborative efforts aim to improve the quality of tourism human resources, expand employment opportunities, and enhance the competitiveness of Cambodia’s tourism industry in a sustainable and quality-driven manner.
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