Phnom Penh – In a strategic move to significantly bolster its burgeoning tourism sector, Cambodia is set to forge a key partnership with a prominent Chinese enterprise, the International Economic and Technical Cooperation Company. This collaboration is designed to deliver specialized training programs for Cambodian educators in the field of smart tourism and to impart essential hotel management skills to students. The initiative, officially announced by Mr. Huot Hak, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, underscores a concerted effort to elevate the quality of human resources within the nation’s vital hospitality industry.
The International Economic and Technical Cooperation Company, which operates an extensive network of over 500 branches throughout China and maintains its headquarters in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China, has conveyed a strong interest in this impactful collaboration. To formalize this commitment, the company is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism. This MoU will specifically outline the vocational training programs focused on smart tourism and advanced hotel management.
Minister Huot Hak warmly commended the Chinese company for its proactive engagement and cooperative spirit in facilitating human resource development within Cambodia’s crucial tourism sector. He particularly emphasized the profound importance of training professional teachers in smart tourism methodologies and enhancing hotel management proficiencies for Cambodian students. Such initiatives are considered vital for improving the overall standard of education and, consequently, increasing the income potential for individuals employed in the industry.
In addition to the core training programs, Mr. Huot Hak also reached an agreement with the Chinese partners regarding the implementation of Chinese language skills training tailored for local tour guides. This expansion aims to equip more tour guides to effectively cater to the needs of the growing number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia and to strengthen communication and engagement with partners from China.
Providing crucial context to these developments, recent statistics indicate that Cambodia welcomed over 4 million international tourists during the first eight months of 2025, specifically from January to August. This figure represents a 5.6% decrease when compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Among these international visitors, Chinese tourists constituted a significant segment, with 784,965 arrivals, making them one of the largest groups after visitors from Thailand and Vietnam.
