Participants at the launch of the third phase of the Hospitality Kampuchea (HoKa) training programme on December 9. Tourism ministry
Minister of Tourism Huot Hak has called on workers in the sector to develop specialised skills under the motto “One Employee, One Skill” as Cambodia’s Hospitality Kampuchea (HoKa) training programme officially entered its third phase.
The launch of HoKa Phase 3 (2024–2028) took place on December 9 at the ministry, with participation from key partners. Initiated in 2017, the programme has trained thousands of individuals, including youth from underprivileged backgrounds, business owners, managers and tourism professionals.
The ministry highlighted HoKa as a nationwide initiative known for its high-quality training.
“This programme is acknowledged for its high-quality training aligned with the skill demands of local businesses. It provides standardised training materials and highly capable trainers,” the ministry stated.
Addressing the event, Hak reiterated the significance of skill development in the tourism industry, saying, “‘One Employee, One Skill’ is the principle we encourage through the HoKa training programme.”
Over the past eight years, HoKa has provided training to 6,397 participants, including 3,764 women, across 12 provinces: Kratie, Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Kampong Chhnang, Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey.
The training covers a variety of tourism service skills, including food and beverage services (1,802 participants), hospitality business management (761), coffee brewing (431), front office operations (849), culinary skills for chefs (229), community tourism guiding (173) and business operations (480).
Supported by the Swiss government through Swisscontact, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and other relevant agencies, HoKa continues to focus on building professional capacity in Cambodia’s expanding tourism sector.
The programme aims to equip workers with the skills needed to meet the demands of local and international tourism markets, improve service quality and support the Kingdom’s tourism industry as a key economic driver.
