Minister of Tourism Thong Khon praised the Tourism Commercial Capacity Building (TCBP) programme’s “productive contributions” to the Cambodian tourism sector, especially towards recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

The tourism ministry and French Development Agency (AFD) on December 22 held a joint workshop on the implementation of TCBP, presided over by Khon, French ambassador Jacques Pellet, and AFD country director Sandrine Boucher.

The AFD has provided financing for the TCBP as well as for two tourism vocational schools, one in the capital and another in Preah Sihanouk province, the workshop heard.

Khon lauded the financing as “evidence of France’s support in making Cambodia’s tourism sector progress”, according to a press statement.

The ambassador said the project and implementation thereof underscores France’s contribution to Cambodia’s economy and society.

Pellet believes that the TCBP will create more economic opportunities for tourism-related businesses and local tourism communities, as well as promote Cambodia’s tourism potential to the world.

According to the TCBP team, since its inception in 2018, there have been 18 main activities carried out under the programme, focusing on strengthening tourism capacity, enforcing strategic policies concerning tourism development, strengthening the private tourism sector, research, and the implementation of trial projects.