Speech by  H.E Dr. THONG KHON, Minister of Tourism on 29 of March, 2012 at Seminar

Respectfully!

-  H.E Dr. SOK AN, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers,

-  Dr. Professor NGUYEN VAN NAM, President of the National Economics University, Hanoi

Respectfully! 

-  H.E Dr. SOK AN, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers,

-  Dr. Professor NGUYEN VAN NAM, President of the National Economics University, Hanoi

-  Dr. Professor TRAN THO DAT, Vice President of the National Economics University, Hanoi

-  Dr. Professor NGUYEN VAN MANH, Dean of the Tourism and Hospitality Faculty

-  Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, Dr. Professors,

-  Ladies and Gentlemen!

 Today, I am very great honored and pleased and I would like to express my profound thanks to H.E Dr. SOK AN, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers for presiding over the Conferment Ceremony of PhD Degree in Tourism Management (The field of Ecotourism) and the Seminar on “Dissemination and Implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals”.

I would also like to express my profound thanks to Dr. Professors and Mr. President of the National Economics University, Hanoi for spending their invaluable time to attend the presentation ceremony of my PhD degree in tourism management.

And thanks to Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, Ladies and Gentlemen for participating in today’s conferment ceremony of PhD degree in tourism management.

- Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, Ladies and Gentlemen!

Being born in a poor farmer family and having received a lot of adivce from my father with his eyes- disablility and my poor mother, i have made a very great effort to overcome difficulties in the society both before and within the civil war in order to try hard to study with the aim of becoming a doctor. Unfortunately, all of my wishes fade away during the Pol Pot genocidal region (3 years, 8 months and 20 days).

At the aftermath of the liberation day- January 07, 1979- my wish to continue studying for my doctor of medicine has been very overwhelming and i have made concerted efforts to search for books and ready to continue my study. However, having obtained the best advices from the top leaders, there has been two choices whereby i have to make a decision:

- One is to finish my study and to become a good doctor

- The other one is to become a politician to contribute to the defence and restoration of the nation at the very difficult stage without anything. At last, my choice was to enter into the politics with some of my friends by putting aside my study. Just after that time where my study in medicine has sucessfully finished in 1995 and I continued my study in France in the field of public health and community which is completed in 1997.

Following the participation in leading the restoration and development of Phnom Penh Capital City for more than 10 years (1979-1990) and after spending 3 years at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (1990-1993), in particular the participation in leading and administrating tourism sector for more than 19 years (Since 1993-untill now), I have been aware and well understand about the Royal Government’s policy—considering Cambodian tourism sector as a priority sector for contributing to the national economic development, in particular for Cambodia—the country with an abundance of the cultural and natural tourism potential.

In Cambodia, the tourism sector - in particular the cultural tourism- is one of the main priorities in which the cultural-historical heritages in the Siem Reap-Angkor area and Preah Vihear Temple have played a leading role. However, the natural tourism which is full of very significant potential for Cambodia are also able to properly compete in the region, in particular in this 21­­­­­^st century, while the whole world’s trends have been paying a great attention to and leading to the poverty reduction of the people and the mitigation of the sources of the global warming. The natural tourism has played a key role in achieving these goals.

- Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, Ladies and Gentlemen!

Ecotourism is a part of the natural tourism with the definition demonstrating that it is the combination of “Tourism” and “Ecology” or it means that it is a responsible tourism activity in the natural tourist destination with a respsonsible activity which certainly contributes to the natural and environmental preservation efficiently, to the poverty reduction of the local people and reduction of people migration.

The Nord-East ecotourism sites, the South-west ecotourism of the coastal areas, the biodiversity ecotourism surrounding the Tonle Sap and other areas throughout Cambodia, present the great potential of Cambodian ecotourism, able to attract such numerous tourists in the future, together with cultural tourism and sea toursim (actually a Member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club).

Deep blue and pristine scenery of our land and the prestine beaches which has attracted such tourists more and more, realistic benefits and efficiency for the public, private, people and partners-4Ps relation which give more benefit to the local people and natural preservation and conseration in an efficient manner, have enouraged me to further devote myself and conduct in-depth research for long time in Ecotourism.

The contribution to the responsible and sustainable tourism development is certain to actively contribute to green economic development in Cambodia and is benefical to all of us at present and for the next generation in the future.

Seizing this great opportunity, I would like to express my profound thanks to Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia with sound and brilliant leadership for having supported and encouraged the natural and environmental preservation and ecotourism development. The termination of titanuim exploration project in the Cardammon mountain region, monitoring of sand pumping businesses at some places which have not obeyed the authorization principle of the state as a result of human’s irresponsible activities which have had an adverse effects on biodiversity systems, in particular the recent cancellation of all fishing lots in Cambodia, along with the establishment of management of fish and biodiversity conserved areas, together with the encouragement of all fishing communities (In future, the fishing communities may serve tourism activities, and the people’s living standards in the local communities will be non-stop improved, in particular the migration shall be reduced) clearly reflect the brilliance of Samdech Techo Prime Minister in leading the development in a sustainable manner and in order for the cause of the nation and people.

I would like to express my profound thanks for all relevant institutions, national and international organizations and private sector for having supported and contributed to the ecotourism development in Cambodia.

I would also like to express my thanks to the colleagues, leaders and officials, in particular a crew of officials having conducted the research on ecotourism of the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, and Dr. Professors of the National Economics University, Hanoi, in particular Dr. Prof. TRAN THO DAT and Dr. Prof. NGUYEN VAN MINH, along with H.E NGUYEN CHON THONG, Ex-Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Cambodia, and H.E NGO ANH DZUNG, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Cambodia, as well as H.E PHAN TRUNG KIEN, former vice minister of national defence of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for facilating all the researches and compilation of my PhD’s thesis with today success.        

Once again, I would like to extend my profound thanks to Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister, H.E Deputy Prime Minister Dr. SOK AN, Lok Chumteav. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SOM AN, and the Royal Government’s leaders for always encouraging all officials to study hard and develop themselves in response to the current development of our nation.

My thanks go in particular to my wife and family for supporting and encouraging as well as facilitating my study.

May I wish Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister, and H.E Deputy Prime Minister SOK AN, and Lok Chumteav, as well as the Royal Government’s leaders with longevity, health, strength, and brillance for continusouly leading our homeland towards the prosperity and happiness for Cambodian people. And may I wish Mr. President of NEU and all Dr. Professors, Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, Ladies and Gentlemen with the four gems of Buddisht blessings: Longevity, Nobility, Health and Strength.

As far as this Seminar is concerned, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, the National Committee for Tourism Professionals and on my own behalf, once again, i would like to express my profound thanks to H.E Dr. SOK AN, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers for taking his tigh schedule to preside over this significant seminar.

- H.E Dr. Deputy Prime Minster!

- Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, Ladies and Gentlemen!                               

Under the brilliant and sound leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Cambodia has enjoyed full peace and development of all sectors. Particularly, tourism has remarkably developed over a period of the last decade. In 2011, Cambodia registered 2,881,862 international tourists at the growth rate of 14.9% (compared to 2010) with the domestic tourist growth of approximately 7 million (increased by about 3%) and bringing revenue of approximately USD 1, 912 million into Cambodian economy (equivalent to 12% of GDP) and creating approximately 35,000 direct jobs. Besides, for the first 2 months of 2012, Cambodia received 672,127 international tourists at the growth rate of 26.8% compared to the same period of 2011. Following the forecasts, for 2012, Cambodia will receive approximately 3.2 million international tourists, about 4.5 millions in 2015, and approximately 7 million in 2020 with USD 5 billion and approximately 800,000 direct jobs, while the world tourists are expected to increase up to 1,000 million in 2012, 1,600 million tourists in 2020 and 1,800 million in 2030. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region has been seen being an attractive tourist destination, which is able to cover the market share of approximately 30% of the world tourism market. Remarkably, in 2011, the ASEAN region received approximately 79 million international tourists at the growth rate of 7.4% (Particularly, the Intra-ASEAN Travelers represented to 43% of the total equivalent to 34 million of visitors. And in 2015, it is expected that to reach around 107 international tourists.

- H.E Dr. Deputy Prime Minster!

- Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is certain that the labor market in tourism sector in Asia has different patterns. At present, some countries (such as Australia, Malaysia) are lack of labor in tourism and other countries (such as China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Cambodia) have labor surplus in tourism, which reflects the gap of demand and supply of labor force in tourism (in particular skills). In this sense, the mobility of tourism professionals is certain to contribute to integrating Cambodia into the region and in the world in the context of globalization, particularly to assisting in facilitating the tour operators, tour companies in finding the low-wage labors and skilled labor force. Moreover, the tourism professionals can get more opportunity to search for their labor markets with satisfaction.

In respond to the continuous development of tourism and to lead to the establishment of ASEAN community in 2015, ASEAN has set out the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2011-2015 which was adopted by ASEAN tourism ministers at the ASEAN Tourism Forum-2011 (ATF-2011) in Phnom Penh, aimed at making ASEAN-a world class tourist destination and ASEAN feel the warmth. Namely, the improvement of human resource quality in tourism is one of the three priority strategic directions of this plan, in particular facilitating the mobility of tourism professionals amongst ASEAN member states diametrically by 2015. In this spirit, the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2011-2015 is aimed at implementing with efficiency and transparency the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals which was signed by ASEAN tourism ministers on January 08, 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals focused on 32 job titles based on Hotel Services and Travel Services divided into 6 divisions as follows:

-          Front Office

-          Housekeeping

-          Food Production

-          Food and Beverage Service

-          Travel Agencies

-          Tour Operation

I have a great honor to inform H.E Deputy Prime Minister and the whole seminar that ASEAN has three working groups and two committee (Marketing and Promotion Working Group, Tourist Product Development Working Group, Tourism Quality Working Group, Finance and Integration Committee and the ASEAN Tourism Professional Monitoring Committee). Apart from, to contribute to the implementation of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals, the Royal Government of Cambodia decided to establish the two main national organizations: the National Committee for Tourism Professionals (under the Sub-Decree No: 09 RNKR.BK dated January 10, 2011) and the National Sub-Committee for Tourism Professional Accreditation (under the umbrella of the National Training Board) and the two committees have the following roles and duties:

-          The National Committee for Tourism Professionals has the roles in working directly with the ASEAN Tourism Professional Monitoring Committee-ATPMC in order to update the National Competency Standard for Tourism Professionals in line with the ASEAN Common Competency Standard for Tourism Professionals-ACCSTP and the National Curriculum for Tourism Professionals in line with the Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum-CATC, and making assessment on qualifications and competencies for tourism professionals, additionally examining and monitoring the work performances of tourism professionals after obtaining the certificate of competency.

-          Furthermore, the National Sub-Committee for Tourism Professional Accreditation has the roles in certifying the qualifications and competencies of tourism professionals and conferring the certificates to the tourism professionals after being assessed by the National Committee for Tourism Professionals.  

- H.E Dr. Deputy Prime Minster!

- Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, Ladies and Gentlemen!                                

Over a period of one year, the Secretariat of the National Committee for Tourism Professionals has cooperated and hectically contacted with the ASEAN Secretariat to set up the competency standard and curriculum for 32 job titles.

Along with this, depending on the ASEAN Common Competency Standard, the National Committee for Tourism Professionals carried out the meeting with the private sector, tourism professional training schools, and all relevant stakeholders through setting out documents of competency standard and curriculum for tourism professionals as well. As planned in its action plan to encourage the mobility of tourism professionals by 2015, ASEAN has presently been completing the documents: competency standard, curriculum, common qualification framework for tourism professionals and training toolboxes, for tourism professional mobility for housekeeping and front office and continue the completion of the rest of documents by 2015.

- H.E Dr. Deputy Prime Minster!

- Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, Ladies and Gentlemen!

To congratulate the forthcoming ASEAN Summit, the National Committee for Tourism Professionals has organized this Seminar on “Dissemination and Implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals” in order to spread out the Mutual Recognition Arrangement and to consult the draft of documents of the Cambodian competency standard and curriculum for tourism professionals (for housekeeping and front office) set up by the National Committee by matching with the ASEAN common competency standard and curriculum.

Seizing this great opportunity, I would like to inform H.E Deputy Prime Minister and the whole seminar that in order to ensure the efficiency and transparency of mobility advancement of tourism professionals, the National Committee for Tourism Professionals has set up the following necessary documents:

-          Prakas on the Establishment of Secretariat of N.C.T.P

-          Internal Rule of N.C.T.P

-          Action Plan of N.C.T.P (2011-2015)

-          Draft of the Cambodian Competency Standard and Curriculum for Tourism Professionals for Housekeeping and Front Office Divisions

-          Website of N.C.T.P: www.cambodiatourismprofessionals.gov.kh to disseminate the implementation of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals, necessary documents, as well as Cambodian tourism professionals registration system in order to prompt them to broadly search for jobs and make it easier.

At the same time, to efficiently implement the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals, the National Committee for Tourism Professionals has drawn up plans and on-going implementation work plan as follows:

1-      Continue setting up the necessary documents supporting the training and assessment of Cambodian tourism professionals in line with ASEAN standard as follows:

-          Complete Cambodian competency standard and curriculum for tourism professionals, qualification framework, and training toolboxes for front office and housekeeping division.

-          Continue preparing the document of Cambodian competency standard and curriculum, qualification framework, and training toolboxes for 4 divisions: Food Production, Food and Beverage Service, Travel Agency, and Tour Operation.

2-      Continue disseminating the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals through continuing:

-          Raising awareness along tourism professional training schools or centers, and tourism business establishments about this arrangement in order to be ready to contribute to implementation by ensuring the training along each school and the implementation of tourism business establishments with high quality in line with ASEAN standards.

-          Cooperating with the ASEAN Secretariat to conduct study on “Gap Analysis of Training” of Cambodia and ASEAN for the implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals to be a basis of building capacity in Cambodia of both hard infrastructure and soft infrastructure in order for the regional tourism professional training.

-          The National Committee will carry out employment survey in tourism sector in order to be ready to perform the mobility of tourism professionals to be a basis of leading to the set-up of the Cambodian National Tourism Professional Training Plan 2012-2020.

-          Continuing strengthening and improving the set-up of employment searching system of Cambodian tourism professionals via internet.

-          Being prepared to choose master trainers and master assessors to get trained for housekeeping and front office divisions mid 2012 coming.

-          And preparing the draft of the Sub-Decree on management of Cambodian tourism professional training.

Last but not least,  May I wish H.E Deputy Prime Minister good health, strength and brilliance to take part in the lead of the government towards great success for the sake of our nation and the people welfare.

I have a great honor to inform H.E Deputy Prime Minister and the whole seminar that the Seminar on “Dissemination and Implementation of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals” took place with the participation of more than 550 participants including relevant ministries-institutions, tourism professional training schools, tourism professionals, students from tourism and hospitality faculties, tour operators, hotels, accommodation services, and all relevant sections.

In order to get more sound recommendations to this seminar, I would like to respectfully invite H.E Deputy Prime Minister to deliver speech and give recommendations.

Please H.E Deputy Prime Minister!