Relais & Châteaux sponsors International Internships for Aspiring Cambodians

Relais & Châteaux, the exclusive collection of some of the world’s finest luxury small hotels and gourmet restaurants, is sponsoring a Cambodian Hospitality and Tourism school with international scholarships for promising graduates.

As Relais & Châteaux expands into Asia, the programme with École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule is arranging professional work experience at member hotels in Australia and Malaysia for three of the school’s top graduates.

The scholarship programme is a unique opportunity for aspiring young Cambodians to develop international hospitality skills at world-class resorts. Six-month internships are being provided at the iconic Sydney retreat Jonah's - Whale Beach, one of only two Australian members of Relais & Châteaux, the Kuala Lumpur jungle hideaway Tamarind Springs, and Japamala Resort on Tioman Island of Malaysia’s east coast, voted by Time magazine as one of the world’s ‘Ten Most Beautiful Islands’.

The three Relais & Châteaux members are sponsoring all costs for flights and accommodation with the 6-month internships, where the graduates will be trained as cooks, receptionists and in restaurant service.

École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule is a non-governmental and non profit organization opened in 2002 to provide young Cambodians with hospitality and tourism schooling of international standards. It was founded by Paul Dubrule, co-founder of the Accor Group and Mayor of Fontainebleau, in co-operation with the Cambodian Government.

Jaume Tàpies, President of Relais & Châteaux, said, “South-East Asia and China have been designated as priority destinations in our international development strategy, as we create a truly global portfolio of small independent establishments which embody the personalized service and fine dining values of Relais & Châteaux.”

Its first ever dedicated Asia Pacific directory lists the first 35 members from the region admitted to the elite collection of some of the world’s finest small hotels and restaurants.

The association now has 475 members in more than 55 countries, of which 23 are in Asia Pacific and 12 in Japan, and is expanding internationally.

Jacques-Olivier Chauvin, Director General, said, “Asia offers major growth potential both as a destination for our international guests and as a source market of guests for our members throughout the world.”

The Asian commercial development drive is being spearheaded by new coordination and promotion offices in Singapore, and general sales agents in main centres in the region, including Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney.

Also among new Asia members are Phuket Pavilions, The Eugenia and The Rachamankha in Thailand, The Heritage Suites in Siem Reap, Cambodia and Bali Pavilions in Sanur, Bali.

Most recently, three boutique hotels in India joined, along with Saint-Pierre a distinguished modern French restaurant in Singapore.

The Association’s foothold in China includes two restaurants in Shanghai: Sens & Bund, founded by French restaurateurs, Pourcel brothers, and Family Li Imperial Cuisine, famed for preserving the culinary heritage of Beijing’s Forbidden City.

In line with its slogan ‘All around the world, unique in the world’, Relais & Châteaux is now also seeking to expand into other important Asian markets such as Hong Kong.

Member properties are selected through a rigorous, demanding procedure involving one or more anonymous inspection visits, and one or more interviews with property owners and general managers.

Relais & Châteaux’s Board of Directors of 28 members from 14 different nationalities make the final admission decision. Only about 10% of candidate properties are accepted every year. New members pay an admission fee, with average annual membership fees of € 14,000 – less than 1% of their annual sales revenues.

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