The HoKa Steering Committee is driving the development of hospitality skills to boost tourism in Cambodia.

Cambodia’s tourism industry is growing rapidly, creating a high demand for skilled hospitality professionals who can deliver excellent service and memorable experiences. Recognising this, the HoKa Steering Committee recently held an important meeting in Battambang, bringing together key leaders, government officials, development partners, and a wide range of tourism sector stakeholders to review progress, tackle challenges, and align strategies for 2025.

Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Liechtenstein Development Agency (LED), the Hospitality Kampuchea Training Programme (HoKa) is playing a crucial role in developing the skills and capabilities of Cambodia’s hospitality workforce. The recent gathering in Battambang was not only a chance to look back on the achievements of 2024 but also to reflect on the first half of 2025 and plan for a successful second half of the year.

The meeting was presided over by H.E. Pak Sokhom (Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism and Chairman of the HoKa Steering Committee), H.E. Chhay Martinal (Deputy Governor of Battambang Province) and Mr Ros Va (representative of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation). Representatives from the Liechtenstein Development Agency, the Skills Development Programme (SDP), the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and other tourism sector partners were also in attendance.

Reflecting on progress and planning ahead

During the meeting, the committee and partners reviewed key results from 2024, including the number of hospitality trainees reached, improvements in training quality, and successful partnerships forged with local businesses and training institutions. They discussed lessons learned and challenges encountered, such as the need to continually update training curricula to keep pace with changing industry demands, the green HoKa initiative and the importance of expanding access to hospitality training in more provinces.

The discussions also focused on aligning strategies for 2025 to ensure that the HoKa training programme remains responsive and effective. This includes exploring new ways to engage the private sector, developing the qualification framework for graduates, and increasing outreach to disadvantaged youth, encouraging them to consider careers in hospitality.

Field visits spark inspiration and collaboration

One of the highlights of the Battambang meeting was a field visit to local hospitality businesses and training sites. This gave delegates a valuable opportunity to see firsthand how HoKa training translates into real-world skills and how businesses benefit from having a well-trained workforce.

The visit also fostered knowledge sharing and inspired ideas on how to enhance the programme’s implementation and impact. Local business owners shared their experiences and provided valuable feedback on how the training programme could be further tailored to meet their needs. This practical insight will help shape future training approaches to better support Cambodia’s tourism businesses.

Voices from the leadership

The HoKa Steering Committee’s commitment to continuous improvement and partnership is helping Cambodia meet this demand while creating new employment opportunities and fostering economic growth.