Ministry of Tourism Headquarters: On the afternoon of 12 August 2026, Dr. choub Ratana, Director of Professional Training Department and Head of the Secretariat of the National Committee for Tourism Professionals, led technical officials of the Department in a working discussion with the Director of API Cambodia to explore potential areas of cooperation in providing tourism skills training for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism sector and promoting tourism entrepreneurship.
During the meeting, Dr. Juab Ratana warmly welcomed the Director of API Cambodia and highly appreciated the organization’s initiative to establish a partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, particularly in contributing to the development of English-language skills among Cambodian tourism professionals. He also highlighted the visionary leadership and strong commitment of H.E. the Minister of Tourism to human resource development in the tourism sector through the implementation of three key training programmes: the Cambodian Hospitality Training Programme (HoKa), training programmes aligned with the Cambodian Qualifications Framework (CQF), and training programmes based on the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (ASEAN MRA-TP). These programmes serve as important mechanisms for enhancing the quality and professional competencies of tourism professionals, expanding employment opportunities, and strengthening competitiveness to facilitate labour mobility at both regional and international levels.
During the discussion, both parties exchanged views and explored potential areas of cooperation in several priority areas, including:
1. Exploring training opportunities for workers in the informal economy in tourism-related vocational skills, with a focus on the target provinces of Battambang, Pursat, and Kampong Chhnang, which are among the target areas of API Cambodia. Priority skills would include culinary arts, food and beverage services, coffee preparation, and community-based tourism.
2. Piloting training programmes proposed by API Cambodia in Pursat Province, particularly in the Cardamom Mountains area, as well as in Sandan District, Kampong Thom Province, where forest-protection communities are located and significant tourism potential exists.
3. Strengthening entrepreneurship in the tourism sector, drawing on API Cambodia’s existing expertise in business planning, business research, and business leadership training to support tourism entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
The meeting demonstrated the shared commitment of both parties to establishing effective cooperation aimed at developing human resources in the tourism sector, particularly by strengthening professional skills, entrepreneurial competencies, and business management knowledge among tourism operators and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Furthermore, this cooperation is expected to complement the Ministry of Tourism’s existing human resource development mechanisms by integrating vocational competencies, language skills, and entrepreneurial capabilities in a more comprehensive and interconnected manner. Such efforts will contribute to enhancing the adaptability and competitiveness of tourism professionals and businesses, while responding more effectively to evolving tourism market dynamics and the needs of the private sector.
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