PRESS RELEASES
Through varied endeavors such as real-world upskilling program Open Door, Rosewood Phnom Penh is on a mission to inspire, enrich and positively impact its Cambodian home
December 18, 2023
Since its 2018 opening in the Cambodian capital, Rosewood Phnom Penh has vowed to leave a lasting positive impact on its host country. In line with Rosewood Impacts, the brand-wide commitment to empowering individuals and adopting circular hospitality practices, Rosewood’s Cambodian property has launched a wide range of CSR initiatives to enhance lives, promote Khmer arts and culture, ensure sustainability and protect wildlife. These have included collaborations with like-minded partners, including local NGOs, vocational and hospitality schools, and rural development organizations.
As a result, Rosewood Phnom Penh has become a driving force for environmental action, both within the hotel’s walls and in the wider community. Not only has the hotel eliminated single-use plastics property-wide, it has also donated two tons of glass bottles to the innovative Coconut School, which uses them to construct buildings and classrooms. In 2022, the hotel partnered with Vattanac Property Limited to collect two tons of plastic waste on the Mekong and Tonle Sap river banks. The same year, Rosewood Phnom Penh spearheaded an initiative that planted 2,000 mangrove trees in Koh Kong province as well as holding an art exhibition to raise funds and awareness for Cambodia’s threatened species.
Meanwhile, social endeavors have focused on upskilling the local workforce and providing opportunities to disadvantaged sectors of society. “When Rosewood Phnom Penh opened, we realized there was a lack of experienced local staff in the ultra-luxury hotel sector. Initially, we hired hoteliers from Rosewood properties in other countries but we quickly recognized the importance of supporting and developing local talent,” explained Daniel Simon, Managing Director of Rosewood Phnom Penh.
Through a range of apprentice and internship programs, Rosewood Phnom Penh has hired over 400 employees from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds since 2018. The hotel has also allocated USD14,000 to offer skill training and education classes, including English, Mandarin and computer courses, plus another USD40,000 to the Open Door program, which trains, develops and prepares local talent for successful careers in hospitality.
Run in partnership with the École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule (EHT Paul Dubrule), Open Door gives motivated young Cambodians from socially disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to gain hands-on experience in Rosewood Phnom Penh’s dining outlets, and front and back office.
In 2023, 15 deserving trainees joined the scholarship program. Trainees were provided with a monthly allowance of USD160, service charge payments, complimentary room and board, and medical insurance, alongside mentorship by local managers from EHT Paul Dubrule and invaluable real-world experience.
The program culminated in a grand Scholarship Dinner to raise important funds for EHT Paul Dubrule. The event was organized and overseen entirely by the Open Door trainees – from creating the menu and wine selection to event flow and internal management. The evening exceeded expectations with a total of 94 guests attending, helping to raise USD6,000 for the school. Rosewood Phnom Penh donated a further USD4,000, bring the total to an impressive USD10,000. Even more notably, all 15 Open Door graduates received promising job offers, with 14 accepting positions.
At the same time, many colleagues from organizations such as EHT Paul Dubrule, PSE, Sala Bai, and Don Bosco have also progressed to management positions. “Today, the number of foreign nationals on staff has been reduced to just 3%, and most management positions are held by locals,” added Simon. And the efforts are only picking up pace. In collaboration with EHT Paul Dubrule, Rosewood Phnom Penh aims to provide real-world experience and focused skill training to 4,000 Cambodian students from rural areas, propelling them towards a brighter future.
