Course Description

English Language Support Unit (ELSU)

Year I-III, Semesters I & II

As most textbooks and research books in Cambodia are written in English, foreign language acquisition is essential for professors and students alike who want to increase their skills and knowledge levels. The development of the knowledge base and research skills of the students at the Royal University of Phnom Penh is an outstanding goal of this program.

English Language Support Unit (ELSU)

Year III, Semester I & II

Students strengthen their English reading and writing skills by learning critical reading techniques and analyzing various sources. They develop an ability to read, understand and analyze tourism literature including academic, commercial and government publications. Sources include textbooks, journal articles, government reports, promotional material, reports and documents from international organizations, and relevant academic literature. Students also develop an extensive, relevant vocabulary which is necessary to read and interpret the various types of tourism-related reading material. As the majority of tourism-related material is printed in English, it is essential for students to expand their vocabulary in order to increase their knowledge levels.

Ms. Buoy Niviriya

Year II, Semester I

This subject furnishes students with a fundamental understanding of travel and tourism, as well as the tourism system and its functioning components, illustrating how they impact upon and collaborate with each other. Students discuss issues in tourism education, the tourism workforce and its role in the functioning tourism system, as well as fundamental definitions and concepts related to contemporary tourism. Students then learn the factors which stimulate tourism demand, and identify the forces that can impact on tourism�s growth and decline. Finally, students focus on tourism as a field for study, and the importance of providing tourism education, training and research for the sustainability of the industry.

Mr. Kuon Vannsy

Year II, Semester I

This subject exposes students to all aspects of the Cambodian tourism product, and provides an overview of the tourism industry in Cambodia. The Cambodian tourism product is divided into a number of categories, and students develop an understanding of each category, and how it is important for the broader tourist industry. Students then learn to view Cambodia from the international tourist perspective by analyzing marketing material and studying patterns of visitation. Finally, students examine the ways in which tourist products are used to market, promote and enhance the broader tourist industry.

Mr. Yin Soriya

Year II, Semester I

This course focuses on the government�s influence and power over national tourism industries. It examines the roles and responsibilities of governments in tourism policy, planning, regulation, management and development. Students undertake an exploration of different governmental approaches to tourism policy, planning and development; the politics of tourism; and the integrated nature of governments and the private sector. Students also examine the functions of government-controlled international, national, state and provincial tourism organizations, with an emphasis on their role in implementing tourism policy. To reinforce their knowledge, students critically examine a number of case studies of government involvement in tourism from a variety of countries.

Ms. Sou Sochenda

Year II, Semester I

This course introduces students to modern marketing practices. Students learn to apply the fundamentals of marketing to specific situations, thus helping to achieve set marketing and organizational goals. By completing this course, students also become competent in the vocabulary and concepts of marketing.

Mr. Men Prachvuthy

Year II, Semester I

In this subject, students examine the tourism industry�s impact on biophysical environments. They study social attitudes towards the environment, the reasons why tourism has such a broad impact on a wide range of environments, and the roles of tourism and environmental management agencies. Students then explore current models of environmental tourism development, certification and education, and examine environmental tools and techniques for achieving sustainable tourism, with a particular focus on national parks, marine areas, and World Heritage areas. Finally, students examine key issues in protected areas tourism, including wildlife tourism, visitor management, waste management and interpretation.

Mr. Khun Chanmony

Year II, Semester II

This course exposes students to the concepts and principles of human resource management (HRM), and teaches them to apply this knowledge to the workplace. Students examine the role of customer service within an organization, and learn of the vast importance of human resources to the management process, and especially to the execution of strategic plans. Students also explore the HR functions most important to the functioning of the workplace, including training, staff recruitment, induction, development, performance appraisal, morale and motivation. Finally, students investigate methods of evaluating HR capabilities, as a way to gauge the success of an organization.

Mr. Men Saravuth

Year II, Semester II

This subject introduces IT as a vital tool in tourism operations, and outlines its many applications in the tourism industry. Firstly, students discuss the evolution of tourism-related IT and the rise of global distribution systems. They review information technologies such as GDS and CRS in the airline industry, technological applications to travel intermediaries, surface transportation technologies, hotel systems and visitor attractions systems. Students then examine the growth of the Internet as an information exchange, tourism promotion, tourism search and booking tool. A practical component of the course includes an introduction to the Internet and an analysis of tourism related web sites.

Mr. Yin Soriya

Year II, Semester II

Sustainable tourism evolved from the widely read Brundtland report (1987) of the UN World Commission on Environment and Development, which introduced the ideal of development as meeting the needs of today�s generations, without jeopardizing the needs of future generations. This subject discusses tourism within the framework of this definition, and outlines the �triple bottom line� approach, which seeks to secure the economic imperative of a tourist operation as well as ensuring the continued viability of the natural and sociocultural environments within which it operates.

Ms. Sou Sochenda

Year II, Semester II

This course introduces students to the financial principles governing business and commerce. Firstly, students review the principles of accounting and financial analysis, learning typical standards for financial practices within business and finance environments. As part of this, they learn to create journal entries and general ledgers, coordinate inventory control and cash flow, create balance sheets and analyze financial statements. Students then study common financial reporting techniques in depth, gaining a broad understanding of the financial operations required for effective management and operations.

Ms. Buoy Niviriya

Year II, Semester II

In this course, students learn about general patterns in world tourism, and gain a broad overview of international tourism developments, trends and products. They learn of the historical, cultural, environmental and political resources of a wide range of countries; study visitor statistics, generating markets, tourism products, government policy, tourism strategies, and future issues; and analyze case studies drawn from Cambodia�s neighboring countries to examine how international tourism shapes and influences countries. Furthermore, students analyze national tourism strategies, recognizing several different approaches towards tourism policy, planning and development. They then compare the Cambodian tourist industry to those of neighboring countries, and identify possible areas for improvement.

Mr. Men Prachvuthy

Year II, Semester II

This course focuses on the travel agency as a sector of the tourism industry. Students are introduced to the travel agency, its structure and functions, the range of services it provides and the regulations it works under. Students then study travel distribution networks, including intermediaries, providers and suppliers, and examine the roles and functions of tour wholesalers, with an emphasis on the assemblage of the tour package and its marketing, and the roles of tour operators within the tourism system. Students become familiar with travel agency operations and practices including tour packaging of inbound and outbound travel, costing and pricing, product mix, accreditation, travel insurance, currency exchanges, airline and accommodation reservations, travel documentation and ticketing. They are also introduced to the way in which travel agencies, tour wholesalers and tour operators work together to create tourism products for the consumer. Finally, students learn about a range of travel agency systems, including Computer Reservation Systems (CRS) and Global Distribution Systems (GDS).

Mr. Kuon Vannsy

Year III, Semester I

This subject introduces students to the foundations of tourism research, providing a broad explanation of key research terms, applications, uses, methodologies and other key research fundamentals. Students learn of the value of research to the tourism industry, especially in the Cambodian context. Students also learn to formulate clear research topics, questions, aims and hypotheses, and examine various sampling and research methods used in tourism research.

Mr. Yin Soriya

Year III, Semester I

Special interest tourism is one of the fastest growing areas within the tourism industry. It comprises a diverse group of specialist tourism activities that are distinct from the traditional mass tourism product, suggesting that tourists are beginning to demand more varied and stimulating holiday experiences. Students are introduced to various types of special interest tourism, including volunteer tourism, health tourism, adventure tourism, religious or spiritual tourism, agritourism and dark tourism. Other topics covered in this subject include the development and planning of special interest tourism, the characteristics of the special interest tourist market, and strategic marketing and management principles for building a sustainable special interest tourism product.

Ms. Khun Chanmony

Year III, Semester I

This subject introduces students to the concepts, principles and practices of tourism marketing. It covers the various aspects of marketing tourism products, services and destinations, including consumer markets, analyzing consumer buying behavior and the buying decision process, marketing strategies, market segmentation and product targeting and positioning. Students examine the marketing mix, learn how to apply marketing methods to real life situations, implement marketing plans, and evaluate the success of marketing efforts. Particular emphasis is placed on the marketing of tourism services, with comparisons made between services and products. Finally, students analyze the actual destination marketing strategies of a range of local, regional and international destinations.

Mr. Neth Baromey

Year III, Semester I

This course provides students with an overview of various strategic management practices and operational strategies, including strategic planning, product planning, capacity planning, pricing, quality management, cost management, inventory management and supply-chain management. Students then apply strategic management concepts and techniques to case studies, highlighting the interrelationship between an organization�s strategic position and its operating systems.

Ms. Buoy Niviriya

Year III, Semester I

This course introduces students to economic systems as they relate to examine general economic theories, gaining a broad understanding of economic principles. They then focus on the ways in which economic systems and models interrelate with and impact on tourism. Students learn practical techniques to measure economic impacts, including cost benefit analysis and multiplier techniques. Other topics covered include tourism resource allocation; demand and supply; and analysis and forecasting for tourism. Finally, students examine the role of tourism in economic development, and conduct an economic analysis of the environmental impact of tourism.

Ms. Sou Sochenda

Year III, Semester I

This subject focuses on the roles and functions of transportation within the tourism system. Firstly, students learn the history of transport, and discuss the inter-relationship between transport and tourism development through time. Students then examine the variety of transport services available, the latest technological developments in the sector, international travel patterns, inter-modal transportation, and transport infrastructure.

Ms. Sou Sochenda

Year III, Semester II

In this subject, students are taught to recognize tourism regions, and analyze various regions in terms of their planning, development and management. They learn various planning approaches for regional tourism management, and explore the development and life cycle of regional destinations, including nature-based, urban-based and attraction-based tourism regions. Finally, students are introduced to the statistical tools required for analyzing and describing tourism regions.

Mr. Kuon Vannsy

Year III, Semester II

This subject requires participants to assess and report on a real life tourism business, operation or site. Students produce a report based on their research, presenting observations and recommendations to classmates and/or stakeholders, who then provide direct feedback. Students gain practical experience outside the classroom environment, and learn to employ essential critical, observational and analytical skills.

Mr. Yin Soriya

Year III, Semester II

Visitors and attractions are fundamental elements in the tourism system: without them, tourism would cease to exist. As such, the success of a destination depends largely on the caliber of its attractions and the host�s ability to manage visitors in an appropriate manner. This subject examines a range of built, natural, cultural and heritage attractions from both supply and demand perspectives, and investigates the issues raised by visitation to sensitive attractions. Students gain an insight into the process of planning and developing tourist attractions, and examine issues such as cross-cultural differences and on-site management strategies such as interpreting natural and cultural heritage for visitors.

Mr. Neth Baromey

Year III, Semester II

This subject examines the potential effects of tourism on culture and heritage. Students examine the concept that culture is a commodity, focusing on key aspects of cultural tourism, including products, marketing, authenticity and imagery. They explore the concept of heritage tourism, and discuss the role of international organizations in protecting and conserving cultural heritage sites. As a result, students learn to recognize and assess the significance of cultural heritage resources, and to analyze the positive and negative impacts tourism has on cultures and heritage sites. Finally, students are introduced to visitor management strategies which help alleviate tourism�s impacts on heritage sites.

Mr. Kuon Vannsy

Year III, Semester II

Building on from the course Introduction to Research for Tourism, students are introduced to effective techniques for market research, and analyze a variety of relevant research methodologies, including forecasting, consumer research, promotions research and performance monitoring studies. They discuss the marketing research �menu�, and learn how to select the best mix of research techniques according to particular needs and circumstances. Students then learn how to gather, process, analyze and disseminate information to facilitate and improve decision making in marketing practice.

Mr. Loeuk Savann

Mr. Loeuk Savann

In this course, students learn about the work done by community workers seeking to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged people in both urban and rural areas. They examine the roles and responsibilities of community authorities, community organizations, participatory rural appraisals, and community representatives in gaining skills and building capacity among communities.

Miss Te Sothy

Year III, Semester I

In this course, students learn about the roles, functions and aims of education in various societies. They examine the issues from both Western and Eastern perspectives, and examine education as a factor for social change. Students also learn about the process of socialization which occurs through schooling and conduct a specialized study of primary, secondary and tertiary education in Cambodia since 1975.

Ms. Long Chandavy

Year III, Semester I

In this course, students examine theories and models of mass communication, concentrating on the mass media. They analyze the roles and goals of communication, and its role in establishing and perpetuating group leadership.

Mr. Loeuk Savann

Year III, Semester I

This course arms students with a sociological analysis of the legal order. Through lectures and discussions, students study the premise that law is both the product of social interaction and the impetus for social change. Students survey major sociological theories and research techniques into the origins, processes, functions, and actors of the law. Students are also encouraged to consider the role of law in reinforcing and/or changing class, gender, and racial inequalities.

Miss Te Sothy

Year III, Semester I

In this course, students gain an understanding of the impact of religion on social institutions, social structure and social identity. Topics discussed include religion�s meanings and forms; the origins and social roles of religions; the relationship between religion and science; and changes in religion and religious practice in the contemporary era, including secularization.

Mr. Mel Sophanna

Year III, Semester I

This course introduces students to core concepts and theoretical approaches in the sociology of health and medicine. Firstly, the concepts of health, illness and disease are introduced and deconstructed, and the role of the social sciences within the health care sector is discussed. Students then explore the ways that ill health can be understood, and the different ways it has been explained and managed, considering traditional, Western and alternative medicine, and the varying doctor-patient interactions they offer. Students discuss the role of traditional healers and medicine in parts of the underdeveloped world, and the role of alternative medicine in developed countries. In addition, students explore metaphors and representations of disease, which can lead to stigma and distort the ways in which sufferers of disease are treated. The final session in this course discusses the importance of sociological and anthropological research in providing informed reviews of health issues and policies, and how this research can be used in developing public health programs.

Ms. Rith Sam Ol

Year III, Semester II

In this course, students investigate the range of positive and negative impacts which can result from tourism development, particularly on destination economies, environments, personal values, beliefs, perceptions and attitudes. As part of this, students are introduced to the concept of commodification and tourism dependency, and analyze the techniques used for measuring tourism�s economic, environmental and sociocultural impact on a destination region.

Mr. Neth Baromey

Year IV, Semester I

This subject encourages critical thought and discussion about the issues tourism professionals face in the 21st century. It is divided into a series of integrated modules, covering topics including globalization; the emerging economies of China, India and the Gulf countries; political instability; terrorism; climate change; technological advance and corporate social responsibility. As part of this course, students are encouraged to keep abreast with international developments, in order to engage in informed and lively class discussions.

Mr. Men Prachvuthy

Year IV, Semester I

Community based tourism (CBT) is an effective way for host communities to develop their economies, build their skills and capacity whilst maintaining environmental, social and cultural sustainability. CBT has been identified as an alternative way to address issues of uneven wealth distribution and unsustainable environmental, economic and sociocultural practices, and as a way to manage the problems of agricultural over-reliance. As part of this subject, students discuss the potential benefits and costs of CBT, as well as integral practical processes including site selection and developing stakeholder involvement.

Mr. Yin Soriya

Year IV, Semester I

This subject builds on students� knowledge of the three tenets of sustainable tourism: sociocultural, environmental and economic sustainability. Students explore ways of incorporating stakeholder involvement into product development and marketing, and of increasing community participation. They also examine sustainable planning and management strategies for tourism, and learn assess and evaluate the sustainability of tourism projects and operations. Finally, students discuss the issues surrounding the accreditation and certification of ecotourism enterprises, and study emerging best practices and technologies for the tourism industry.

Ms. Rith Sam Ol

Year IV, Semester I

This course focuses on the conceptualization, planning, management and staging of conferences and special events. Firstly, students are introduced to special events planning, and its role within the tourism industry. They are guided through the process of creating, planning and developing a special event or conference, focusing on strategic and operational planning. Students then learn about specialized marketing and promotional techniques, and how to apply them. Finally, students discuss the importance of coordination when managing a special event or conference, with an emphasis on logistics, evaluation and reporting.

Mr. Neth Baromey

Year IV, Semester I

This course introduces students to the process of managing and operating hotels and resorts. Students learn about hotel management principles, strategies and policies, and analyze their effectiveness for overcoming operational problems. They also study property management and planning and financial and human resource factors, including productivity and performance, within the hotel framework. Students then focus on the marketing and promotion of hotels and resorts, identifying the particular characteristics of marketing in the accommodation sector. By completing this course, students gain a working knowledge of the processes involved in bringing to operation and then managing a resort-hotel complex.

Dr. Poch Bunnak

Year IV, Semester I

In this course, students build on knowledge gained from the courses Introduction to Research for Tourism and Intermediate Research for Tourism to develop advanced skills in data and statistical analysis. The course prepares students to conduct an independent Tourism Research Project, teaching them to plan and manage complete research projects. Topics covered include question formulation, questionnaire design and sampling and methodology, with a detailed analysis of data manipulation, analysis and interpretation using SPSS software.

Ms. Sou Sochenda

Year IV, Semester I

Students learn the skills and knowledge they need to manage the financial resources of a travel and tourism organization. They gain an insights into the role of accountants within an organization, and practice their comprehension of financial statements. As part of this, students are introduced to commonly-used financial analysis and managemtn computer programs and applications.

Mr. Men Prachvuthy

Year IV, Semester II

Many of today�s business managers require some skill in managing projects, whether they be promotional effectiveness studies, cost-benefit analyses, product launches or investigations into diversification. This course builds students� business project management skills, and provides them with techniques which will help them manage or participate in a project team. As part of this, students examine effective project management processes, including planning, leading, organizing and controlling limited resources for varied reasons in order to achieve specific and unique objectives within a defined timeframe and budget.

Mr. Neth Baromey

Year IV, Semester II

Students seeking success in their personal and academic lives need to be able to communicate effectively. This is especially important in the increasingly information-oriented business world. This subject hones students� organizational, oral and written communication skills by providing them with a thorough understanding of the practicalities, concepts and principles of professional business-related interpersonal and intercultural communication.

Year IV, Semester II

Year IV, Semester I

For this component of their degree, students conduct individual research into a current issue affecting the tourism industry. Firstly, students are required to submit a research proposal, in which they identify an industry problem, formulate research questions, set aims and objectives for their research, identify the existing literature and design research methodologies appropriate to their research objectives. Once the proposal is approved, the research is conducted under the supervision of faculty from the Department of Tourism. Students apply the skills and knowledge they have learnt to implement research techniques including interviews and questionnaires, observation, content analysis, coding, and catalogue and analyze data. Students submit a progress diary and a final research report, which is formally presented to the department. By following the process of tourism research, this project builds the skills students will need to undertake research on any aspect of the tourism industry within their future careers.

Year IV, Semester II

Students gain valuable work experience by working in an organization which is involved in providing tourism-related services. The organization can be any tourism-related private firm, government agency or NGO, at which students work for 16 weeks. The practicum element of their degree enables students to apply the theories, concepts, models and best practices they have learnt to real life tourism environments.