From 28 to 30 May, 2019, the Chinese Language Training for Chinese Tour Guide Teachers was successfully held in Siem Reap, Cambodia. H.E. Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), H. E. Mr. Pak Sokhom, Secretary of State, Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H. E. Mr. Pov Piseth, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap Provincial Governor Board, Mr. Liu Zhijie, Director of Chinese Consulate Office in Siem Reap Province, and around 100 trainees of licensed Chinese tour guides, tour guide teachers and relevant tourism stakeholders attended the opening session on 28 May.

Deputy Governor Pov Piseth delivered a welcome speech and extended congratulations on the training programme. He also briefed on some important policies and key measures adopted by the government to attract more Chinese visitors and investors to Siem Reap.

ACC Secretary-General Chen Dehai thanked the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Yunnan College of Tourism Vocation for their contributions to this important activity. Cambodia and China are good neighbors, partners and friends who are making joint efforts to push their comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to a new level. As more and more Chinese tourists travel to Cambodia, there is an increasing demand for Chinese-speaking tour guides. He hoped the training programme would help cultivate more qualified Chinese-speaking tour guides and deliver quality service for Chinese tourists. ACC stands ready to cooperate with its Cambodian partners in developing human resources in the field of Chinese-speaking tour guide services.

Secretary of State Pak Sokhom, who is also High Representative of H.E. Dr. THONG Khon, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, declared the opening of Chinese Language Training for Chinese Tour Guide Teachers 2019. He spoke highly of this training program which would not only help improve the Chinese proficiency of local tourism stakeholders, but also better guarantee quality services for Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia.

“Chinese Language Training for Chinese Tour Guide Teachers” is one of the flagship projects of ACC. It was initiated by the 45th Meeting of ASEAN National Tourism Organizations during ASEAN Tourism Forum 2017 in Singapore and was launched in Brunei Darussalam in July 2018. This training programme in Siem Reap is the second of its kind organized by ACC and its partners. There were in total 7 selected courses, covering Chinese culture, tour guide expertise, explanatory notes for heritage sites, tourism product design and tailored services for Chinese consumers. An on-the-spot demonstration was arranged at Angkor Wat temple. On 30 May, a certificate awarding ceremony was also held for the 3 lecturers from Yunnan College of Tourism Vocation and all the trainees of the programme.