Skills for tourism – Human resources development in the tourism and hospitality sector

Context

The tourism sector in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has expanded rapidly, with international arrivals increasing from 14,400 in 1990 (generating revenue of USD 2.25 million) to over 4.6 million in 2015 (with revenue of USD 725.4 million). Direct employment in tourism stands at approximately 130,000 people, with participation in the tourism labour force seen as the main potential to increase poor peoples’ share of tourism-related income. According to research carried out in 2015, there are currently approximately 7,000 job vacancies in the tourism and hospitality sector in Lao PDR. Furthermore, it is estimated that about 10% of the tourism and hospitality labour force has to be replaced annually for a variety of reasons. Accordingly, Luxembourg and Switzerland, together with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) of the Lao PDR, have joined hands for a vocational education and skills development project.

Projet aims

‘Skills for Tourism’ promotes sustainable and inclusive growth of the tourism and hospitality sector in Lao PDR, thereby contributing to poverty reduction. The project is helping to bridge the gap between the large number of job-seekers in Lao PDR, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the enormous employment potential of the tourism and hospitality sector. It is expected that graduates of improved and expanded tourism and hospitality vocational education and skills development will find gainful employment or pursue further studies in the tourism and hospitality sector as a result of this initiative. The project builds on previous and ongoing support for vocational education and skills development in Lao PDR from both Luxembourg and Switzerland within the framework of the Lao PDR Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Development Plan 2016–2020 and the Lao PDR Tourism Strategy 2006–2020.

Project beneficiaries

An average of 1,000 beneficiaries per year will be supported to participate in education and training initiatives that equip them with the knowledge, skills and attitude for employment, further studies or promotion in the sector.