Project overview
INNO4Tourism aligns universities in Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic with the dynamic demands of the tourism and hospitality sectors. In collaboration with European universities, essential skills, sustainable practices, and industry-aligned policies are adapted and shared to enhance Asian ones. This alignment supports future graduates and current professionals in developing competencies in sustainable tourism management, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, fostering more resilient and competitive tourism economies.
Our Approach
INNO4Tourism integrates the SDGs, particularly SDG 8, which underscores tourism’s role in creating quality jobs and supporting economic development. By engaging universities and tourism industry stakeholders, the project addresses skills gaps, enhance curriculum relevance, and bolster career services within higher educational institutions.
Chiang Mai University Launches INNO4Tourism Curriculum to Enhance Tourism Workforce Skills for Sustainability
September 18, 2025 – The INNO4Tourism – Innovative Curricula for Lifelong Learning of Sustainable Tourism Workforce project, is funded by the European Union (EU) and supported by the College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, has officially been launched under he Erasmus+ Programme, Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE Action). The launch event was a collaboration between the Department of Tourism, Faculty of Humanities, the College of Arts, Media and Technology, the Faculty of Education, and the CMU School of Lifelong Education, aiming to strengthen the skills of the tourism workforce towards sustainability.
The launch event introduction was presented over by Asst. Prof. Dr. Orawit Thinnukool, Head of the INNO4Tourism Project, CMU team, along with the project team Asst. Prof. Dr. Yuttasak Chatkaewnapanon, Project Manager, representing Chiang Mai University. The event gathered representatives from government and private organizations, including the Tourism Council of Chiang Mai, the Chiang Mai Guide Association, as well as entrepreneurs, hotel and restaurant businesses, and enrolled students from the project’s courses.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Worawit Janchai, Dean of the College of Arts, Media and Technology, gave the opening address, followed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suthida Chamrat, Deputy Director of the CMU School of Lifelong Educayion, who introduced the CMU Lifelong Education Platform. This platform serves as a key mechanism for promoting lifelong learning in the digital era, with eight courses and 16 modules of INNO4Tourism curricula developed under the INNO4Tourism project to strengthen competencies for tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Pattaraporn Khuwuthyakorn, Project Manager, presented the eight new courses comprising 16 modules. These modules were developed collaboratively by academic staff from four leading universities in Southeast Asia, together with experts from the European Union, focusing on sustainable tourism entrepreneurship. The curricula emphasize the integration of innovation, technology, and modern management to equip learners with future-ready skills that align with the dynamic nature of the tourism and hospitality industries.
The launch of the INNO4Tourism curricula marked another collaboration between Chiang Mai University, which aims to become a leading university committed to social responsibility for sustainable development through innovation, and its partners both domestically and internationally, particularly the European Union, to advance the quality of the tourism and hospitality workforce, as well as stakeholders across the supply chain. This initiative is especially significant in Chiang Mai, where tourism remains a major economic driver, and is expected to foster a balance between economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability, thereby strengthening competitiveness in the long-term business operation sector.
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Chiang Mai University Establishes Work-Integrated Learning and Career Services Center to Strengthen Academic and Industry Collaboration
Chiang Mai University (CMU), in collaboration with key academic units including the Department of Tourism (Faculty of Humanities), the Lifelong Learning College (Faculty of Education), and the College of Arts, Media, and Technology, has officially launched the Work-Integrated Learning and Career Services Center. This initiative is part of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE) project. The center aims to bridge the gap between education and industry needs by emphasizing practical skills, innovation, and sustainability to better prepare students for the global workforce.
The Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) program and the University-Business Collaboration (UBC) mechanism at CMU are designed to enhance learning quality while addressing the gap between academic training and the skills required in the modern job market. The newly established Work-Integrated Learning and Career Services Center will foster collaboration among students, industry leaders, alumni, and global organizations. Through real-world experience, students will be well-prepared for careers in fields such as tourism and hospitality, modern management, and business administration.
Honored Guests at the Launch Event
The launch event was graced by
Asst. Prof. Dr. Warawit Janchai, Dean of the College of Arts, Media, and Technology
Asst. Prof. Dr. Rawee Jansong, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities
Additionally, an official signing ceremony was held to certify the center, reinforcing Chiang Mai University’s commitment to career development and industry engagement. The signing event took place on February 11, 2025, at Ang Kaew Villa, Chiang Mai University.
Project Team Members, The initiative is led by a distinguished project team, including:
Asst. Prof. Dr. Yuthasak Chatkaewnapanon, Project Manager and Head of the Department of Tourism
Asst. Prof. Dr. Pattarraporn Khuwuthyakorn, Project Manager
Asst. Prof. Dr. Orawit Thinnukool, Project Coordinator
Asst. Prof. Dr. Uraiwan Hanwong, Associate Dean, Faculty of Education
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pratana Jaiphong, Director of the Lifelong Learning College
Asst. Prof. Dr. Raslapat Suteeca, Head of the Academic Division and WIL Center Supervisor
Asst. Prof. Dr. Atchara Kamaksorn, Project Researcher and Acting to the dean of organization standard.
The launch event also featured the Zero-Waste Management Curriculum Development for Tourism and Hospitality, a key initiative that aims to promote sustainable environmental practices in the tourism industry. These projects reaffirm CMU’s role as a leader in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) and its commitment to preparing students for the evolving demands of the global industry.
This initiative represents a major step forward in tourism and hospitality development, supporting skill sustainability while enhancing the capacity of Thai graduates to enter the tourism industry as professionals.
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