News

Swisscontact convened a meeting of representatives from nine provinces across southern and central Lao PDR to launch the Pheun Than Heng A Sip (PTHAS) Training Programme in Vientiane Capital. Over the next four years, the programme will upskill existing employees and support people from disadvantaged backgrounds to secure employment in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Swisscontact signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lao PDR government on Wednesday 23 August, to support tourism development in Southern Laos under the Mekong Inclusive Growth and Innovation Programme (MIGIP). The programme focuses on supporting destination development and marketing, improving the product offer in the region, and capacity development in key areas. The agreement offers an opportunity to build upon previous Swisscontact work in the region.

On June 20th, Swisscontact in partnership with Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) and the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) conducted a half day event to explore possibilities for Lao PDR tourism entrepreneurs to become successful exporters to the European market. The event, entitled EU Market Possibilities for the Lao Tourism Sector was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Vientiane, and attracted over fifty participants from the public and private sector, including major inbound tour operators, hotel and restaurant businesses owners, and representatives of the MICT.

The Swiss Forum for Skills Development and International Cooperation (FoBBIZ) launched its very first FOBBIZ Prize competition in 2016. It supports innovative skills development initiatives rooted in Swiss vocational education and training expertise. The Junior Passport to Success (JPS) Initiative in Southern Laos won the first price for its innovative way to bring hospitality training to less advantaged people in rural Southern Laos.

The provincial governors of Kratie, Stung Treng, and Preah Vihear together with Swisscontact hosted the official launch of the Skills Development Programme. The launch marked the official kick-off of the skills programme and demonstrated a close collaboration between the provincial government, the national government and Swisscontact, stirring excitement amongst different stakeholders. It specified the project initiatives and activities that would be implemented in the three provinces over the next 12 months, and provided an overview of the programme outcomes planned for the entire phase 1 (2016 – 2020).

The digital marketing campaign #MekongMoments was awarded the prestigious Golden City Gate Award – considered as the oscars of the travel industry – at ITB Berlin, the largest travel and tourism fair globally. Swisscontact is a founding partner of #MekongMoments.

Swisscontact collaborated with the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham) to organize an information session to promote the Senior Expert Corps (SEC) to SME EuroCham members in Cambodia. The session was attended by 25 organizations from a range of industries including IT, travel and tourism, hospitality and food and beverage.

The first meeting of the Steering Committee of Skills Development Programme (SDP) convened in Phnom Penh on December 16, 2016. The purpose of the meeting was to agree on the terms of reference of the committee and chart the future directions of SDP.

The first Senior Expert Corps (SEC) assignment has commenced in Cambodia. On October 24, 2016. Mr. Alain Rohrbach arrived in Phnom Penh for the first SEC assignment with the National Committee for Tourism Professionals (NCTP) at the Ministry of Tourism (MoT). The National Committee for Tourism Professionals (NCTP) has been established by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) with the aim of enhancing tourism skills development and facilitating the mobility of tourism professionals within ASEAN member states both in the Kingdom of Cambodia and other ASEAN member states.

Southern Laos has won the PATA CEO Challenge Top Destination 2016 award. The prestigious award, presented by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), recognises the region as a top emerging tourist destination displaying unique and diverse culture and heritage. Swisscontact is supporting the region since 2013.