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• 2022
• • 1 Septembre
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
  • 
  • LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - Les tour-opérateurs laotiens se préparent à certifier les guides et les chauffeurs avec LaoSafe

  LaoSafe a constaté une augmentation des demandes de formation et de certification en prévision d'une hausse des arrivées de touristes au Laos.

  Le Laos a rouvert ses frontières aux touristes internationaux le 9 mai 2022, abandonnant toutes les exigences de test et de quarantaine pour les voyageurs vaccinés. Depuis lors, l'intérêt pour le pays s'est accru, avec une augmentation de plus de 50 % du nombre de visiteurs à la fin du mois de juin, ce qui a entraîné une hausse de la demande de circuits organisés et un regain d'espoir pour la haute saison à venir.

  Coïncidant avec la fin des pluies de mousson, le Laos voit traditionnellement le nombre de visiteurs augmenter en octobre, et les voyagistes de tout le pays s'empressent maintenant de certifier les guides touristiques et les chauffeurs pour faire face à l'afflux anticipé de touristes. À ce jour, plus de 710 guides touristiques et 270 chauffeurs ont obtenu la certification LaoSafe.

  

  "LaoSafe est une excellente norme à respecter et elle est très importante dans le cadre du contexte actuel. La formation LaoSafe que nos guides ont reçue les a aidés à donner la priorité à la sécurité et à la propreté. En tant que tour-opérateur, je veux que les voyageurs sachent que le Laos a mis en place des normes de sécurité pour qu'ils puissent voyager l'esprit tranquille et en toute confiance. J'invite tout le monde à visiter le Laos et les voyagistes laotiens à s'inscrire au programme LaoSafe", déclare Duangmala Phommavong, directeur général d'EXO Travel Laos.

  Mis en œuvre par le ministère de l'Information, de la Culture et du Tourisme et approuvé par le ministère de la Santé, LaoSafe est une initiative nationale visant à créer un système de santé et d'hygiène de classe mondiale dans le secteur du tourisme et de l'hôtellerie.

  Des normes sectorielles ont été élaborées pour l'hébergement, la nourriture et les boissons, les guides touristiques et les chauffeurs, afin d'élever le niveau d'hygiène dans tout le pays et renforcer la confiance internationale dans le Laos en tant que destination touristique sûre.

  "En tant qu'agence, il est de la plus haute importance pour nous d'être en mesure d'offrir à nos clients une expérience sûre et de qualité. Le COVID-19 ayant changé notre monde et notre mode de vie, il était important pour nous de nous adapter également, et grâce à l'initiative LaoSafe, cela a été possible", déclare Julie Beaufrère, responsable des produits et des arrivées chez Asian Trails Laos.

  "Non seulement cette initiative nous permet de rassurer nos clients qui s'inquiéteraient des mesures de sécurité et d'hygiène au Laos, mais elle nous permet également d'harmoniser des services et de créer des normes à l'échelle nationale que nous continuerons à soutenir en formant nos guides et chauffeurs grâce à LaoSafe", commente-t-elle.

  Bien que l'on ne s'attende pas immédiatement à ce que le nombre de visiteurs atteigne à nouveau le niveau de 2019, la suppression des restrictions d'entrée a donné à l'industrie du tourisme et de l'hôtellerie un coup de pouce bienvenu après deux années de contrôle strict des frontières. Les chiffres du COVID-19 fluctuant toujours dans le monde, la protection contre l'infection reste néanmoins une préoccupation pour beaucoup.

  Le programme LaoSafe est soutenu par le projet LAO/029 - Compétences pour le tourisme, cofinancé par les gouvernements du Laos, du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et de la Suisse, et mis en œuvre par le ministère de l'Éducation et des Sports du Laos et LuxDev, l'agence luxembourgeoise pour la Coopération au développement.

  Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez consulter le site www.laosafe.gov.la.

  Pour toute demande de renseignements aux médias, tout commentaire supplémentaire ou toute demande d'interview, veuillez contacter media@laosafe.gov.la.

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 1 Mars
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
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  • Bureau Asie LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - Businesses Attain LaoSafe Certification

  On Monday, 28th February, the LaoSafe programme organised its first Certificate Awarding Ceremony in the Vientiane Capital. In the presence of Mr. Ounthuang Khaophanh, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), Mr. Nouphan Outsa, Director General of the Technical Vocational Education Department (TVED), Mr. Sam Schreiner, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Luxembourg and Mr. Christian Engler, the Swiss Development Cooperation’s (SDC) Deputy Country Director, 19 individuals received their credentials as LaoSafe Trainers and Assessors, in addition to 22 businesses receiving their LaoSafe certification.

  
  Mr. Sam Schreiner, Charge d'Affaires of the Luxembourg Embassy participated in the ceremony and handed over LaoSafe certificates to LaoSafe Tour Guide and Driver trainers. © Matthew Dakin

  LaoSafe is a health and hygiene programme approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the MICT and comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including for accommodation providers, food and beverage (F&B) outlets, airlines, tour guides and drivers. The goal of LaoSafe is to both improve the quality of health and hygiene practices, while building confidence in Lao PDR as a safe tourist destination. 

  Speaking at the event, the Vice Minister of the MICT made note of the progress that has already been achieved by the LaoSafe programme, which officially commenced its piloting in Vientiane Capital a month ago. "Following a series of intensive preparation sessions, we have now reached one of the programme’s first milestones, which is the certification of Trainers and Assessors for the subsectors of food and beverage, tour guides and drivers", he explained. Trainers and Assessors for the accommodation sector are currently undergoing preparation.

  
  Mr. Ounthuang Khaophanh, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) underlined the progress that has so far been achieved by the programme and congratulated everyone for clearing its first major milestones. © Matthew Dakin

  These LaoSafe Trainers are officially certified to train food and beverage outlets as well as tour guides and drivers in preparation for their LaoSafe assessment, and a team of assessors have been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform onsite inspections. During their preparation, the trainers and assessors were given the opportunity to directly practice their skills by coaching and assessing numerous businesses which had expressed interest in becoming LaoSafe certified. 

  "The training provided by the LaoSafe Trainers was not just crucial to refresh and expand our staff’s understanding of relevant hygiene procedures against COVID, but it also gave us the confidence that we would pass the strict assessment to become LaoSafe certified", said Ms. Dalaphone Pholsena, Managing Director of Kualao Restaurant. 

  As remarked by Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department of the MICT, "it’s been extremely encouraging to witness the interest of tourism and hospitality businesses and professionals in the LaoSafe certification. Consequently, a lot of trainings and assessments are underway in Vientiane Capital and in Luang Prabang". 

  Indeed, numerous businesses, ranging from the national airlines – which also received their certification during the event – to accommodation businesses like the Crowne Plaza Hotel understand the need to make their domestic and international clients feel cared for.

  
  During the awards ceremony, 19 individuals received their credentials as LaoSafe Trainers and Assessors, in addition to 22 businesses receiving their LaoSafe certification. © Matthew Dakin

  "We owe it to our guests to make them feel absolutely safe on our premises. Once the borders have fully reopened, we want to be able to show to potential clients that we have done everything in our power to ensure that all operations are run with strict dedication to high-quality hygiene standards", said Mr. Nattawut Wetprasit, Director of Operations of the Crowne Plaza Hotel emphasised.

  More tour guides, drivers and businesses are set to be trained and assessed in the coming months in different locations of the country. Additional awarding ceremonies are also planned to take place in Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang in the coming weeks. 

  The LaoSafe programme is supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is co-financed by the governments of the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. 

  More information on LaoSafe can be obtained under: www.tourismlaos.orgor via email laosafe@luxdev.lu.

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 7 Février
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
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  • LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - 2021 Tourism and Hospitality Employment and Skills Survey research findings published

   

  

  On Tuesday November 30th the Ministry of Education and Sports, represented by Mr Nouphan Outsa, Director General of the Technical Vocational Education and Training Department, disseminated the findings of its recently published Tourism and Hospitality Enterprise Survey of Employment and Skills in Lao PDR. The online meeting was co-chaired by Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and attended by representatives from other Lao ministries, private sector representative bodies and development partners.

  The survey, which was conducted from May to June 2021 and collected data from more than 1,300 businesses, sought to assess the impact COVID-19 has had on the tourism and hospitality sector in Lao PDR, and also look at recent trends in skills and employment demand.  As such, the ‘’survey is the most comprehensive of its type in tourism and hospitality in the Lao PDR and provides a representative picture of the sector, Mr Nouphan explained in his opening remarks.

  Key findings underscore the devastating effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on businesses ranging from hotels and restaurants to travel services and handicrafts subsectors across the country. Total employment in the sector has more than halved since reaching its peak in January 2020 and was estimated to stand at 28,400 at the time of the data collection. Business revenues in 2020 fell by 64.6% resulting in the closure of many tourism business, reduction in staff numbers, wages and trading hours. The survey estimates it could take over five years for the tourism and hospitality industry to return to pre-COVID-19 total employment numbers.

  In contrast to this troubling impact and disruption to the sector’s services, the survey notes a significant increase in skills alignment between tourism and hospitality training providers and employers, with the number of employees holding tourism and hospitality related qualifications having more than doubled since the last survey conducted in 2018. 51% of employees now hold a formal qualification (up from 30% in 2018) and the illiteracy rate fell from 49% to 42% in the same time span.

  In light of these findings both Mr Nouphan and Mme Phommavongsa underlined the importance of looking ahead and to focus on current efforts to revive the tourism sector and increase the alignment between skills supply and demand. ‘’Once the borders reopen, we need to be prepared to welcome international visitors with great service quality and hygiene standards. This means further strengthening the partnerships between training providers and tourism and hospitality businesses, and also building on initiatives such as the Lao Thiao Lao campaign and the LaoSafe programme,’’ Mme Phommavongsa emphasised in her closing remarks.

  The survey report can be downloaded in English and Lao by scanning the following QR code.

  

  The conduct and publication of the 2021 Tourism and Hospitality Enterprise Survey of Employment and Skills in Lao PDR was supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is co-financed by the governments of the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

   

  ↑ Haut de la page
• 2021
• • 26 Novembre
  • Par LAO/029
  • 
  • LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - LaoSafe to drive improvements in health and hygiene practices for the tourism and hospitality sector

  LaoSafe, a health and hygiene programme for the tourism and hospitality sector, has received official approval from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT)

  LaoSafe comprises a series of health and hygiene standards for different subsectors of the tourism and hospitality industry, including for accommodation providers, food and beverage outlets, airlines, tourist attractions, tour guides and drivers. 

  

  Operating under an Advisory Committee chaired by Mr Ounthuang Khaophan, Vice Minister of MICT, these standards have been developed with MICT in partnership with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), business associations including the Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association, the Lao Association of Travel Agents, the Lao Tour Guide Association, the Lao Van Association and key private sector partners including Lao Airlines, Lao Skyways, Crowne Plaza Hotel and more. The standards have then been independently reviewed and approved by the MoH.

  Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Department of Tourism Management and Chair of the LaoSafe Coordination Committee, stated that ‘the goal of the LaoSafe programme is to provide a uniform standard, aligned with international good practices, to align health and hygiene practices across the industry – to improve quality, protect staff and visitors alike and to inspire confidence in tourists considering a trip to the Lao PDR.  With a quality programme in place, the Lao tourism sector will be better prepared for a potential re-opening of the international borders.’

  

  Supporting material, including guides and training material is available at www.tourismlaos.org and will be supplemented by training delivered initially by the Institute of Mass Media, Culture and Tourism (IMCT).    When confident of meeting the required standards, businesses will be able to apply for assessment by the Department of Tourism Management, which will visit each business to conduct the assessment onsite.  Businesses that pass will be accredited as LaoSafe and receive a range of offline and digital marketing collateral. They will also be listed under a special directory of approved businesses on www.tourismlaos.org and be part of the domestic and regional marketing of the LaoSafe programme. For businesses which do not pass the initial assessment, feedback will be provided, and once improvements have been implemented, these businesses will be able to retake the assessment.

  Speaking during the design of the LaoSafe Programme Inthy Deuansavanh, Tourism Board Committee Member at the LNCCI, stressed ‘the importance of having a high quality and rigorous assessment protocol in place in order to build confidence in the programme and raise standards across the sector’.

  The LaoSafe programme is currently being piloted in Vientiane, with trainers and assessors undergoing their initial training. Subject to Covid restrictions being eased, it is expected Food and Beverage businesses will be able to undergo training and assessment from November, with accommodation providers from January 2022.  Expansion to other key tourism destinations can be expected early in 2022 following the official launch of the LaoSafe Programme in January. 

  

  During the pilot phase, training and assessment is being provided free of charge to businesses with the costs supported by the Skills for Tourism Project,LAO/029.

  For more information, please visit www.tourismlaos.org or email laosafe@luxdev.lu.

  Technical and financial support of the LaoSafe programme is being provided by the skills for tourism project, LAO/029. The skills for tourism project is co-financed by the Governments of the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 1 Septembre
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
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  • Bureau Asie LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - Tourism and hospitality teachers build their English and online teaching skills

  A recent collaboration between the Luxembourg Development Cooperation, the Swiss Development Cooperation and Irish Aid celebrated the successful completion of English language training. The programme was developed and implemented by Vientiane College and Celtic School of English (Ireland) for 28 tourism and hospitality technical and vocational education training teachers coming to Vientiane from 15 public vocational institutions across the country. The programme adapted to many difficulties, with all parties working together to overcome the difficulties presented by the global pandemic in order to facilitate a new training programme that offered much more than originally intended.

  

  Ms Khamla Phetsythone from Luang Prabang Technical College brandishing her new English language programme certificate. Photo credit to Matthew Dakin

  The training programme was first envisaged as a four-work week language and cultural immersion programme where the Lao teachers would live with host families in Tralee, Ireland, study at the Celtic School of English and take part in work placements in early 2020. This was initially deferred to 2021, however the ongoing pandemic and travel restrictions made this impossible.

  In a new setting a new methodology was decided which would feature a blended approach. Therefore, the teachers took part of a mix of face-to-face classes in Vientiane College, combined with online learning facilitated by the Celtic School of English. This new model not only featured online platforms such as Zoom, Google Classroom and Kahoot, but also educated the teachers in how these technologies can be used in their own classrooms. 

  Students waving goodbye to Anne O'Keefe, Director of the Celtic School of English in Ireland, who joined the graduation ceremony via Zoom to wish the participants well. Photo credit to Matthew Dakin 

  “To us, it was clear that we wanted to find a way in spite of COVID to accompany the teachers on their English language journey” said Catherine Woods, Director of Administration at Vientiane College. “The goal was also to introduce teachers to ways in which they could potentially teach their own classes through an online approach which is becoming increasingly necessary as a way to adapt to COVID-19.’’

  This format was new to many of the Lao teachers, however they were guided through the process by the English teachers from both schools. The Lao teachers were provided with a tablet computer to access the online platforms and were mentored in how to use the devices. Classes had a strong emphasis on interactivity and engagement, with Saturday sessions focusing on engaging with Irish culture through interactive activities facilitated through online platforms. 

  This method proved to be a big hit with the teachers.

  It’s been great not just to upgrade my English skills, but also to learn how to teach English in a fun and effective way in my own classroom or even online – for instance, through songs, imitating real-life scenarios or even quizzes, which is also how we were taught about Irish culture, which has been one of my favourite parts of the entire programme.

                                  Ms Khamla Phetsythone, Luang Prabang Technical College

  Training participants seized the opportunity to capture photos with their English teachers who acocmpanied them on their English Language journey over the past five weeks. Photo credit to Matthew Dakin

  By all reports the course has been a great success. The new skills that the teachers have gained go well beyond the language and cultural immersion originally envisaged by the programme. Due to the successful collaboration between all parties, the trainee teachers have also finished the programme with a new appreciation and understanding of exciting new ways of teaching. These online platforms will no doubt be key to further enhancing the quality of learning TVET tourism and hospitality students will receive on their way towards shaping the future of Lao tourism.

  The English language training programme was supported by Irish Aid and the Skills for tourism project (LAO/029), which is co-funded by the governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. 

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 31 Août
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
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  • Bureau Asie LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - Lao Thiao Lao launches its own ‘What’s Up Laos’ App

  Following the successful implementation of the Lao Thiao Lao national tourism marketing campaign led by the private sector over the past year, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) is now pushing the campaign to greater heights by launching its own app called What’s Up Laos. 

  The app was launched by Mr Inthy Deuansavanh, who has also been spearheading the successfull Lao Thiao Lao campaign on behalf of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Photo credit to the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  According to the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Lao Thiao Lao campaign has had an undeniable impact on the tourism and hospitality sector, both for customers and businesses. More than 5 million unique users have been reached since September 2020, and private sector businesses have contributed over LAK 400 million of services which were used to support popular online influencers to visit and promote destinations, and to run bi-monthly online competitions. To date, the Lao Thiao Lao page has accumulated over 75,000 followers and with the assistance of paid promotions has had an average reach of 1.7 million people per month since its launch.

  Based on a President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the campaign reached people from regional markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China, even though international tourism was not the main target. This was unexpected, but it is shown that the campaign has a lot of potential to grow. The What’s Up Laos App is therefore not just an important step towards keeping up the momentum of Lao Thiao Lao, but also towards paving the way to a campaign of greater regional scope.

  

  The logo of the newly designed app. 

  The app comes with two possible user accounts: one for ‘guest’ users which is targeted towards consumers who want to find out about the latest events and hotel deals in specific locations, and one for ‘business’ owners who would like to showcase their services, special promotions and packages. Business users can upload logos, photos, location, special offers, events and contact details, while guests will have the possibility to research and connect with more than 200 businesses that are already registered on the app. 

  The What’s Up Laos App is available on the Google Play Store, can be directly downloaded by visiting  ‘whatsuplaos.la’ or by QR code.  

  

  For those interested, the app can be downloaded with this QR code.

  Both the Lao Thiao Lao campaign as well as the development of the What’s Up Laos app were supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LA0/029) which is co-financed by the governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 1 Avril
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
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  • Bureau Asie LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant opens its doors in Vang Vieng

  On 1st of April 2021, The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant officially opened its restaurant to the public. Staffed by students who are overseen by their teachers and an international management team, The Academy, which was officially inaugurated in November 2020 and is part of the Vientiane Province Technical College, offers students of tourism and hospitality programmes a unique practical training environment in the heart of Vang Vieng. 

  The Academy will be staffed by students eager to welcome the first guests and learn much sought-after hospitality skills. Photo credit: Phoonsab Thevongsa

  Over the past months, students and teachers at the college have been preparing to welcome its restaurant guests. Chef Serge Selbe, a professional with over 30 years of industry experience has been working with teachers and students to introduce them to the modern and professionally equipped kitchen. The menu we have created with the teachers and students blend international and local produce, combining fresh ingredients, native herbs and spices to create innovative and yet simple dining options, he reveals. 

  The restaurant and bar area of the Academy, which will be staffed by students under the watchful eyes of their teachers and the management team. Coyright: LuxDev

  All meals and drinks offered at The Academy are prepared and served by students who are enhancing their skills in a real-life environment, supported and supervised by their teachers. Some of the students are experiencing working in a professional environment for the first time in their lives, which makes them exceptionally eager to learn. Students realise that they have a rare opportunity to gain much sought-after skills, making it easier to find a job upon graduation, one of the teachers, Ms Nidsakhone Sihachak added. 

  The last two months went by very fast, Ms Khambai Vongsodsavanh admitted, a student currently enrolled on the Diploma in Hospitality specialising in Restaurant Operations. It has been an intense learning experience for all of us ranging from receiving instructions on how to properly use a wide variety of kitchen utensils, being taught how to practice hygienic standards at all times as well as becoming familiar with all the intricacies of working in a bar and a restaurant.

  The hotel at The Academy is also open to guests, offering six guest bedrooms that blend style and comfort with simplicity. 

  Each bedroom has a private balcony and is equipped with A/C, LCD TV, WiFi, complimentary tea/coffee making facilities and ensuite bathroom. Photo credit:  Phoonsab Thevongsa

  We can facilitate meetings and events in our meeting rooms which are equipped with LCD projectors, whiteboards, flipcharts and WiFi, the General Manager, Savija Pannark, explains. A wide variety of clients have already made use of our facilities and services, and we are ready to welcome new customers who wish to organise their meetings and events at our facility, she added.

  With The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant offering new learning opportunities, students will see their horizons broadened and their aspirations raised, commented Mr Nouphan Outsa, Director General of the Technical Vocational Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Sports. It provides students with the vital work-related knowledge and skills which support them as they transition from school to work. In addition to enhancing their practical skills, training in The Academy will provide students with valuable interactions with the world of work, help them prepare to take up employment in the tourism and hospitality sector and achieve their potential.

  The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant is supported by the Skills for Tourism (LAO/029) Project which is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. 

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 1 Mars
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
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  • LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - Graduates of ‘China Ready’ Programme ready to support tourism businesses

  Four representatives from the Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism (MICT) have been awarded the ‘China Ready’ Certification Award by the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) after successfully completing the ‘China Ready’ training programme. The specialised programme, delivered online, provides tourism businesses with insights into the Chinese visitor and how to meet their cultural service and culinary needs, as well as marketing techniques to support businesses to win business from the post-COVID-19 Chinese market.

  The Vocational Education and Skills Development Adviser from the Skills for Tourism Project, Mr Phouvanh Phommalangsy presented the Awards to Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Ms Bouavanh Soukhathammavong, Ms Douangchay Phothichack and Mr Lae Keoluangta, congratulating the graduates on becoming recipients of the ‘China Ready’ COTRI Certification Award. Mr Phommalangsy stated that “the ‘China Ready’ training has come at a critical and urgent time for the tourism sector as it prepares to reopen its doors to the post-COVID-19 Chinese travel market”.

  
  Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department (Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism), receiving her China Ready’ Certification Award from the Skills for Tourism Project's Vocational Education and Skills Development Adviser, Mr Phouvanh Phommalangsy. © Lamthien Vongkhampan.

  Accepting the certificate, MICT Director General of the Tourism Management Department, Mme Darany Phommavongsa said, “The impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector has been devastating. China has one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the world and the Chinese market may be the key to the recovery of the tourism sector in Lao PDR. This training equips the MICT to work with tourism businesses across the country to help them capitalise on this growth by training them in how to meet the specific needs of the Chinese visitor”.

  “It is important that those in the tourism industry are ready in terms of how to deal with Chinese tourists,” noted Ms Bouavanh Soukhathammavong, Technical Officer, Institute of Mass Media, Culture and Tourism (IMCT). “The ‘China Ready’ Programme provides a very good professional platform helping non-Chinese individuals and businesses to better welcome, understand and engage with Chinese visitors”.

  
  Ms Bouavanh Soukhathammavong, Technical Officer, Institute of Mass Media, Culture and Tourism (IMCT). 
  © Lamthien Vongkhampan.
   

  IMCT is rolling out the China-Ready Training Program to tourism businesses across Lao PDR. Focusing mainly on four key areas – cultural awareness, industry specific information, language and promotion of the Chinese market, – participating tourism businesses will be better prepared and equipped to welcome the Chinese tourism market and meet its expectations.

  Mme Darany Phommavongsa concluded, “with many challenges on the horizon for the tourism industry, including uncertainty around post-COVID-19 recovery, IMCT is urging businesses to focus on the potential that China, as the biggest outbound tourism market in the world, can offer. Tourism businesses can now prepare to become ‘China Ready’ to ensure that they will be ready to extend a warm, safe and personal welcome to Chinese visitors”. Upskilling training on ‘China Ready’ is offered to tourism businesses by IMCT with support provided by the Skills for Tourism Project.

  Since 2017 the Skills for Tourism Project has been providing capacity building opportunities to over 100 staff from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

   

   

  The Skills for Tourism Project is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 19 Janvier
  • Par Ben WANDIVINIT
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  • Bureau Asie LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - Tourism and hospitality technical vocational education colleges strengthen public-private partnerships

  As part of the support provided to the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) to enhance the quality of technical and vocational education in tourism and hospitality, the Skills for Tourism Project LAO/029 has been working closely with 18 technical and vocational training colleges nationwide to improve cooperation with their local private sector. These efforts have resulted in the formalisation of over 120 public-private sector partnerships (PPPs) between technical colleges and tourism/hospitality enterprises. 

  TVET students in Savannakhet province are receiving practical insights into baking by a local industry professional, © LuxDev

  To help support the development of these partnerships, the Skills for Tourism Project developed two guides which have been endorsed by the MoES. The “Good Practice Guide for Internships” helps schools understand how they can improve the student internship through working more closely with the private sector. The “Education Enterprise Engagement Manual” highlights a myriad of mutually beneficial partnerships that schools and businesses can establish. 

  During the academic year 2019-2020, all 18 colleges were gradually introduced to both publications as well as to case studies and tools to facilitate their implementation. The colleges were also encouraged to apply for the Skills for Tourism Project grants designed to enhance the quality of internships and to implement innovative partnerships with the private sector. By end of 2020, 122 PPs were formalised between public colleges and private sector actors under these initiatives. 

  The PPPs cover a variety of activities ranging from signing and implementing internship schemes, organising guest speaker events, job fairs and study tours, to having students provide catering support to private businesses or partake in skills competitions taught and judged by industry experts, amongst many other initiatives. 

  “PPPs not only offer the benefit of introducing technical and vocational education students to the latest industry practices, but they also lay the foundations for high-quality education and for businesses and vocational training providers to work closely to ensure graduates acquire relevant skills that meet labour-market needs”, elaborated Mr Nouphan Outsa, Director General of the Technical and Vocational Education Department of the MoES.

  Such partnerships are also at the heart of the Skills for Tourism Project’s collaboration with the Vocational Education Financing Facility (VEFF) through which the Project is granting financial support to dual cooperative training (DCT) programmes in tourism and hospitality in three provinces. Building upon the theory training provided by vocational colleges, a key feature of DCT programmes is the close involvement of the private sector, which is in charge of providing the practical training in a business environment.

  The Skills for Tourism Project’s support will go on throughout 2021 to continue fostering a culture of partnerships between the public and private sector which will raise the standards in tourism and hospitality and contribute to a successful recovery of the sector in the long run. 

  The Skills for Tourism Project is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the MoES and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency .

  The Vocational Education Financing Facility (VEFF) is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), and co-funded by the German Government through KfW Development Bank.

   

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• 2020
• • 11 Décembre
  • Par LAO/029
  • 
  • Bureau Asie LAO/029
  • Éducation, formation et emploi
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  LAOS - Skills for Tourism Project exceeds expectations for 2020 and sets goals for 2021

  The Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) Steering Committee convened in Vientiane Capital on 10 December to review achievements and progress made to date and to present its goals for the upcoming year. The project was co-chaired by Mr. Nouphanh Outsa, Director General of the Technical and Vocational Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr. Christian Engler, Deputy Director of Cooperation of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and Mr. Nicolas Tasch, Attaché of the Luxembourg Embassy. 

  

  The Project Steering Committee Meeting of the Skills for Tourism Project gave donors and stakeholders the opportunity to review and endorse the project's past achievements and future plans. Photo credit: Phoonsab Thevongsa 

  In his opening remarks, Mr. Nouphanh Outsa stated that ‘although the tourism sector has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020, attracting Lao youth to enrol in technical vocational education and to pursue a career in tourism remains important in 2021 for the economic recovery of the country’. To showcase the possibilities that technical vocational education and the tourism industry offer, the Skills for Tourism Project launched a nationwide outreach campaign in 2020 under the theme “Hosts of Laos”.

  

  Mr. Nouphan Outsa, Director General of the Technical and Vocational Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports, stressed the importance of having Lao youth enroll in technical vocational education and pursue careers in tourism to contribute to "the economic recovery of the country" in 2021. Photo credit: Phoonsab Thevongsa 

  The project is well on track for achieving its objectives and has adapted to the uncertain COVID-19 landscape to strengthen the tourism and hospitality sector and pave the way to recovery during the project’s final year of implementation in 2021. In his remarks, Mr. Christian Engler highlighted the ability of the project to adjust in the face of COVID-19 and stressed that Switzerland is ‘looking forward to further support the industry through technical vocational education and skills development’.   

  Since the project’s inception in 2016, more than 7,300 people have participated in project-supported courses tourism and hospitality. An important focus of the project is to ensure inclusion of people from disadvantage backgrounds in tourism and hospitality training programmes. The project’s objective is for graduates of tourism and hospitality to find employment. To date, 72% of graduates traced have been able to find jobs or pursue further studies. Employment rates have however been negatively impacted by COVID-19 in the year 2020. 

  Support to an industry battered by the pandemic also comes in the form of upskilling those who are still employed in the sector and through a novel hygiene programme for the Lao tourism and hospitality sector that will be deployed in 2021. The Skills for Tourism Project has also provided financial support for the domestic tourism marketing campaign Lao Thiao Lao led by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI). 

  As part of its efforts to enhance the quality of vocational education, the Skills for Tourism Project completed the construction of a tourism and hospitality practical training facility –The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant – which was inaugurated in Vang Vieng in November 2020. In his remarks Mr Nicolas Tasch stated that ‘this new training facility further showcases every stakeholder’s resolve to equip Lao youth with labour-market relevant skills and to strengthen professional practices worthy of an ASEAN travel destination’. 

  The Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. The Skills for Tourism Project total budget is EUR 15 million, with nearly EUR 3 million planned for its final year of implementation in 2021.  

   

   

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