New Tourism Vocational School in Cambodia Set to Revolutionize Hospitality Education and Empower a Skilled Travel Workforce

Cambodia is taking a bold leap in transforming its tourism and hospitality landscape by launching a landmark Tourism Vocational School, backed by strategic support from France. This pioneering initiative aims to bridge the skills gap in the nation’s tourism sector, empower local youth with globally competitive training, and support Cambodia’s post-pandemic recovery by nurturing a highly qualified hospitality workforce. With two purpose-built campuses in Phnom Penh and Preah Sihanouk, the school is set to become a regional model for vocational excellence—underscoring Cambodia’s commitment to sustainable tourism growth and international educational standards.

Cambodia Launches Landmark Tourism Vocational School with French Support, Boosting Hospitality Education

Cambodia is set to mark a significant milestone in its tourism development with the soft launch of its very first Tourism Vocational School on June 27, a move poised to transform the nation’s human resource landscape in the hospitality and tourism industries. This development comes as the school nears full operational readiness, with both campuses now almost completely equipped and ready for training.

The progress and upcoming inauguration of the school were recently highlighted during a farewell meeting between Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Hout Hak, and Jacques Pellet, the outgoing French Ambassador to Cambodia. Their discussion underscored the deepening cooperation between Cambodia and France in strengthening vocational education to match global hospitality standards.

Two Campuses Strategically Located to Serve Key Tourism Regions

The newly established Tourism Vocational School features two campuses, strategically located to serve Cambodia’s key economic and tourism hubs.

The Phnom Penh campus is based on Street 1003 in Payap Village, Phnom Penh Thmey, Khan Sen Sok. Spanning 4,000 square metres, the facility includes two major structures: a two-storey front building and a four-storey rear building, designed to accommodate classrooms, practice labs, and administrative offices. This campus will serve as the central hub for hospitality training in the capital city.

Meanwhile, the second campus is located in Preah Sihanouk province, a region rapidly developing into a major coastal tourism destination. Found on Sopheak Mongkul Street, Village 2, Sangkat 2, this campus shares its grounds with the Provincial Department of Tourism and covers 1,775 square metres. It comprises a single four-storey building equipped for comprehensive vocational instruction.

Backed by French Development Agency: A Regional Standard in Training

The school has received financial backing from the French Development Agency (AFD) and technical collaboration with French experts to ensure it delivers international-standard training.

Students will receive instruction in four core areas:

• Hotel and accommodation services
• Food and beverage services
• Travel services
• Tourism operations

The curriculum is carefully aligned with both national frameworks and ASEAN standards, offering a robust educational pathway to build industry-relevant expertise. The training is designed to be accessible and affordable, with a focus on equipping young Cambodians with practical skills to meet the demands of a competitive job market.

The establishment of the school is also a strategic step to support Cambodia’s post-pandemic tourism recovery by nurturing a new generation of professionally trained personnel.

Enhancing Human Capital for Cambodia’s Tourism Growth

This vocational initiative arrives at a pivotal time for Cambodia’s tourism industry, which is witnessing a robust rebound. With international arrivals steadily increasing and demand for quality service on the rise, the school is expected to play a central role in upgrading the nation’s service standards.

Graduates of the program will emerge with practical, job-ready skills, directly contributing to the enhancement of Cambodia’s tourism workforce, particularly in underserved regions like Preah Sihanouk.

Diplomatic Farewell with Long-Term Commitments

During the recent meeting, Ambassador Jacques Pellet expressed heartfelt gratitude for the strong cooperation he received throughout his diplomatic tenure in Cambodia. He acknowledged the importance of the vocational school as a legacy project and reaffirmed France’s continued commitment to Cambodia’s development, particularly in the education and tourism sectors.

Minister Hout Hak, in turn, conveyed his appreciation for Ambassador Pellet’s instrumental role in the establishment of the school and his broader support for Cambodian tourism. He wished the ambassador well in his future diplomatic assignments and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to further enhancing vocational training nationwide.

Cambodia has launched a groundbreaking Tourism Vocational School with French support to elevate hospitality training, empower local youth, and strengthen its global tourism competitiveness. This bold move marks a major step in rebuilding and professionalizing the nation’s post-pandemic travel industry.

A Model for Regional Hospitality Educatio

With its launch, Cambodia’s Tourism Vocational School stands as a model for tourism education in Southeast Asia, reflecting a broader vision of equipping youth with practical skills, fostering international collaboration, and promoting sustainable tourism development.

As the soft opening approaches, optimism surrounds the school’s potential to create long-term economic benefits by professionalising Cambodia’s tourism workforce and ensuring that the country remains competitive in the global travel market.