Siem Reap Deputy Provincial Governor Khim Finan said that while tourism is gradually recovering for Siem Reap, now is the right time to train staff working in the tourism sector. Enhancing the quality of service and providing satisfactory experiences to guests should be the strategic basis for manging the recovery.

He made the remarks at the December 1 opening ceremony of the “Vocational Internship in Hotel and Restaurant Business on front-line desks, housekeeping, food and beverage” programme. The programme was presided over by Ministry of Tourism secretary of state Pak Sokhom.

“If we train all staff working in the tourist sector, it will serve as the strategic basis for strengthening the quality of service and providing satisfactory services to tourists. In particular, it will increase productivity, strengthen excellence, competitiveness, and promote innovation and creativity among the staff,” he added.

He continued that the programme was very important for supporting the tourist sector. In the past two years, many staff who used to work in the industry have turned their attention to non-hospitality jobs, so, human resources in the sector have been severely affected.

“This skills development programme reflects our full preparedness to receive tourists who will visit Cambodia as well as Siem Reap province in the future. In particular, when Cambodia hosts the upcoming SEA Games - ASEAN Para Games,” he stated.

Finan emphasised that with the attention of the government, especially the guidance of the tourism ministry, and with the support of relevant institutions – as well as cooperation from the private sector and development partners and the general public – the tourist sector in Siem Reap province has grown and developed year after year. The sector has become one of the main contributors to the reduction in poverty and the boosting of the Kingdom’s GDP in the last two decades.