In his keynote address, Lord Puttnam, British trade ambassador to the region and Oscar-winning producer, reflected on how little progress Laos had made in improving standards in the hospitality sector.

Pointing out that Laos needed to offer an experience that was different from others in the region, he regretted that some of the country’s strengths were neither being developed nor marketed.

Echoing some of Lord Puttnam’s sentiments were other speakers, including some employers in the audience, who spoke of the severe shortage of skilled staff, poor levels of English and the absence of a work ethic. To make up the shortfall in trained personnel, some organisations were having to bring in expatriates.

Source by: Oh! magazine