The Government has launched a skill development program to ease the problem of labor shortage in tourism and service industries, enhance Thailand’s tourism competitiveness in the region, and develop the country into a regional tourism hub.

The program is being carried out jointly by the Department of Skill Development, under the Ministry of Labor, Thammasat University, and other educational institutions, following the launch of the campaign “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025,” a year-long initiative reinforcing Thailand’s status as a world-class destination for tourism and sports.

It aims to provide skill training for 100,000 personnel in 62 provinces, covering three target groups, as follows:

1) Employees in tourism and service sectors, such as those working for hotels and restaurants;

2) Students at the lower-level certificate of vocational education, the higher-level certificate of vocational education, and the university level;

3) Self-employed workers involved in tourism and service sectors, such as online traders and freelancers.

The skill development program includes various courses in tourism and hospitality and the English language. The Department of Skill Development deems it necessary to accelerate skill development by providing upskill and reskill training for workforce in tourism-related businesses, in response to the Government’s policies to promote tourism and “soft power.”

Thailand expects to welcome 38 million international tourists in 2025, an increase from 36 million in 2024. The Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025 campaign features year-round tourism festivals, high-profile sporting tournaments, and exclusive travel privileges. 

In this regard, provincial governors have been urged to develop tourism destinations in their respective areas in order to attract visitors all year round. Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong said that Thailand were also developing tourism personnel and encouraging hotels to adopt sustainable standards, ensuring a world-class travel experience.

Thammasat University had conducted research on the labor market of tourism and service industries, before introducing training courses under the skill development program to help ease labor shortage in these industries.