Impact and Change through Skills for Tourism

Article, 01.03.2020

 “I have found my signature!” - Porvang, 21-year-old from Luang Prabang.

Porvang was recruited from the LANITH Luang Prabang Training Centre.
Porvang was recruited from the LANITH Luang Prabang Training Centre. Photo © Lao/029.

21-year-old Porvang is adjusting his uniform as he welcomes guests at the renowned Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel. Starting off as a waiter, he just got promoted to the front office department.

Porvang was recruited after he completed a three-month course in Food Production at the LANITH Luang Prabang Training Centre. Asked about the course, he gives a big smile and says “this training changed my life, it’s where I learned my signature, my path”.

The three-month Certificate 1 (C1)-accredited training programmes in Food Production, Food and Beverage Service and Housekeeping are supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) and delivered by the LANITH  Luang Prabang Training Centre.

These training courses which focus, in particular, on inclusion of people from disadvantaged backgrounds in tourism/hospitality training and employment, are designed to equip young women and men with the required skill set to land an entry-level job in the tourism and hospitality sector. The LANITH  Luang Prabang Training Centre supplements the high quality practical training with intensive English language lessons and basic employability skills.

Since 2017, the project supported over 100 students (75% of whom are women). All graduates have secured employment in the tourism and hospitality sector, including at leading hotels and restaurants in Luang Prabang.


 

23.03.2020

We call on Swiss citizens currently traveling in the region to return to Switzerland as soon as possible. Otherwise, there is an important risk that you might get blocked in the country you are currently in for the near future.

A poster with hygiene rules is pasted in a window to protect against the new coronavirus.
At the customs crossing at Geneva airport, on entering Switzerland, a poster informs about hygiene rules to protect oneself against infection with the new coronavirus. © Keystone

Website from the Swiss Embassy – 20.03.2020

For return flights, first and foremost contact the airline, your booking office (travel agency) or your travel insurance company.

For all other requests you can contact the embassy via e-mail bangkok@eda.admin.ch or telephone +66 2 674 6900 / Helpline: Tel. +41 800 24-7-365 or Tel. +41 58 465 33 33.

Please carefully read these following information on the current situation regarding COVID-19.

The Swiss government (Federal Council) calls on Swiss tourists and business travelers to return to Switzerland now and organize their journey independently. In addition, the Federal Council has been advising since 13 March 2020 to refrain from non-urgent travel abroad until further notice. FDFA Travel Advice, Focus Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), in English, German, French, Italian.

If you are currently travelling in Thailand as a tourist or on a business trip (not meant for permanent residents), please register on Itineris/Travel App (https://www.itineris.eda.admin.ch) so that you can be contacted by the Swiss embassy if necessary.

If you are abroad and have checked all return travel options and have not found a solution, we recommend that you contact the Embassy (bangkok@eda.admin.ch or telephone +66 2 674 6900).

or the Helpline FDFA: (+41 800 24-7-365 / +41 58 465 33 33).

Please consult the website of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health to be informed of the current situation and measures in place in Switzerland.

Additionally, Thailand is strengthening its national measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We recommend to all Swiss tourists and nationals who are currently in Thailand to strictly follow the information, recommendations and measures of the Thai authorities.

Important notice for non-Schengen travelers to Switzerland:

The Federal Council has decided to impose controls on travel from all countries outside the Schengen area and to ban entry from these countries. More information for visa holders on Website here

Transit through Switzerland remains open at this time. Press release State Secretariat for Migration

Traveling to Thailand will become very difficult, almost impossible, as of Sunday 22nd of March. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) (link here) requires all incoming passengers to present the following documents before boarding an aircraft bound to Thailand:

  • Travel history of the passenger for the last 14 days
  • A health certificate including a COVID test (link here)
  • A proof of health insurance with a minimum medical coverage in Thailand of not less than 100’000 USD

If the passenger is unable to present these documents, the airline will not issue a boarding pass and boarding will be refused.

If the passenger is authorized to fly to Thailand, she/he face possible isolation, quarantine, confinement for observation at a special place and period.

More information on the situation and measures in Thailand here: Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health of Thailand

Other relevant sources of information here: World Health Organization WHO International Air Transport Association, IATA Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand