AKP Phnom Penh, July 16, 2025 --  The Regional Workshop on “Capacity Building for ASEAN Master Assessors on the Guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning for ASEAN Tourism Professionals” was held at the Angkor Paradise Hotel in Siem Reap province on July 15. 

The workshop’s opening ceremony was presided over by Cambodian Minister of Tourism H.E. Huot Hak. The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, H.E. Kuch Lina, Member of the Siem Reap Provincial Council, representatives from the ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (ASEAN NTOs), presidents of associations, representatives from national and international organisations, national and ASEAN master assessors, representatives from relevant departments in Siem Reap province, universities, tourism vocational training institutions, tourism associations and clubs, local tourism operators, totaling approximately 400 students.

In his remarks, H.E. Huot Hak stated that the capacity building for ASEAN Master Assessors on the ASEAN Guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for tourism professionals, is a direct response to the current needs of the tourism industry. It also aligns with the outcomes of the 28th ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting in Malaysia, which emphasised the importance of developing human resources in the tourism sector.

He added that the meeting encouraged ASEAN Member States to accelerate the implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP) through enhanced capacity building for tourism professionals, both national and ASEAN-level trainers, as well as national and ASEAN master assessors. 

This is being done in tandem with the full operationalisation of the Regional Secretariat to support the implementation of the MRA-TP, in accordance with the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016–2025, the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan 2026–2030, and the Post-COVID-19 Recovery Plan for ASEAN Tourism.

By Phal Sophanith