globalnation.inquirer.net
Asia News Network
02/23/2008
VIENTIANE, Laos -- Asean countries will set service standards in the tourism and hospitality sector through the development of a tourism curriculum for the region.
Representatives from government and private sectors working in the tourism and hospitality sector met in Vientiane to discuss the final outputs of a Common Asean Tourism Curriculum prepared by regional representatives, supported by the Australian government through AusAID.
Speaking at the national workshop, the Vice Chairman of the Lao National Tourism Administration, Soukaseum Bodhisane, said this move was very important to the tourism industry of Laos and other Asean countries.
“A specific tourism curriculum will enable us to promote Asean tourism as well as the Asean cooperation framework in the hospitality sector.”
Laos is one of four new Asean member countries. To align with regional standards, Soukaseum said, “We need to develop a curriculum in Laos to meet Asean standards in order to compete with other countries.”
He said Laos needed to improve the Association of Travel Agents and the Hotel and Restaurant Association, because these agencies provide direct services to visitors.
In the past, the curriculum used in teaching tourism in Laos was put together from foreign tourist handbooks, and was not suitable for conditions in Laos, the vice chairman said.
He urged the parties concerned to review and improve the existing curriculum. “We have to assimilate the lessons learnt from other countries in developing a curriculum of our own.”
“We are concentrating on human development, especially in the tourism sector,” he added.
The National University of Laos teaches a bachelor degree course in tourism and hotel management, but it is not comprehensive enough, said Soukaseum.
“If we can develop to the standard that Asean has outlined, the quality of our services will match those of other countries in the region. When this happens, looking for a job in the hospitality sector will be easier,” he said
A common Asean tourism curriculum would be an important step in the cooperation of member countries on a range of issues for the benefit of Asean, said project director Wayne Crosbie.
Such a curriculum would enable the recognition of common skills and standards and relate to the Asean Common Competency Standard, he said.
It would contribute to the sharing of resources for tourism education and training and provide skilled workers with employment opportunities throughout the region, and assist in narrowing the development gap between the countries, the director said.
The Common Asean Tourism Curriculum and Regional Qualifications and Skills Recognition project was developed with the participation of 410 stakeholders across the region, who feedback enabled the final draft to be completed.
The final draft was presented to the Asean Task Force on Tourism Manpower Development in April in Siem Reap, Cambodia .
Vientiane Times-ANN
Asia News Network
02/23/2008
VIENTIANE, Laos -- Asean countries will set service standards in the tourism and hospitality sector through the development of a tourism curriculum for the region.
Representatives from government and private sectors working in the tourism and hospitality sector met in Vientiane to discuss the final outputs of a Common Asean Tourism Curriculum prepared by regional representatives, supported by the Australian government through AusAID.
Speaking at the national workshop, the Vice Chairman of the Lao National Tourism Administration, Soukaseum Bodhisane, said this move was very important to the tourism industry of Laos and other Asean countries.
“A specific tourism curriculum will enable us to promote Asean tourism as well as the Asean cooperation framework in the hospitality sector.”
Laos is one of four new Asean member countries. To align with regional standards, Soukaseum said, “We need to develop a curriculum in Laos to meet Asean standards in order to compete with other countries.”
He said Laos needed to improve the Association of Travel Agents and the Hotel and Restaurant Association, because these agencies provide direct services to visitors.
In the past, the curriculum used in teaching tourism in Laos was put together from foreign tourist handbooks, and was not suitable for conditions in Laos, the vice chairman said.
He urged the parties concerned to review and improve the existing curriculum. “We have to assimilate the lessons learnt from other countries in developing a curriculum of our own.”
“We are concentrating on human development, especially in the tourism sector,” he added.
The National University of Laos teaches a bachelor degree course in tourism and hotel management, but it is not comprehensive enough, said Soukaseum.
“If we can develop to the standard that Asean has outlined, the quality of our services will match those of other countries in the region. When this happens, looking for a job in the hospitality sector will be easier,” he said
A common Asean tourism curriculum would be an important step in the cooperation of member countries on a range of issues for the benefit of Asean, said project director Wayne Crosbie.
Such a curriculum would enable the recognition of common skills and standards and relate to the Asean Common Competency Standard, he said.
It would contribute to the sharing of resources for tourism education and training and provide skilled workers with employment opportunities throughout the region, and assist in narrowing the development gap between the countries, the director said.
The Common Asean Tourism Curriculum and Regional Qualifications and Skills Recognition project was developed with the participation of 410 stakeholders across the region, who feedback enabled the final draft to be completed.
The final draft was presented to the Asean Task Force on Tourism Manpower Development in April in Siem Reap, Cambodia .
Vientiane Times-ANN
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