PHNOM PENH, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism and the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi of Thailand on Tuesday reached a Memorandum of Understanding on building a Tourism and Hospitality Institute in Cambodia.
Speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon said that the institute would importantly contribute to the development of human resources in the tourism industry.
"The establishment of the institute is aimed at building up human resources in tourism in order to ensure the effective, sustainable and qualitative development of tourism in Cambodia," he said.
Prasert Pinpathomrat, president of the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, said the cooperation would also contribute to promoting tourism ties between Thailand and Cambodia.
The institute will be located in northwestern Cambodia's Siem Reap province.
Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodian economy.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said last week that the kingdom attracted about 5 million international visitors in 2016, earning gross revenue of 3.4 billion U.S. dollars.
He predicted that the country would receive up to 7 million foreign tourists in 2020 that could generate a revenue of around 5 billion U.S. dollars.
Cambodia is famous for the 12th century Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province. Besides, it has a 450-km pristine coastline stretching across four provinces in the country's southwestern part.
