Bangkok, Thailand – Dusit Thani College, Thailand’s leading institute for hospitality education under Dusit International, has been officially certified to administer Japan’s Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test in Thailand, creating direct pathways for Thai and ASEAN talent to secure skilled positions in Japan’s hospitality sector.
The milestone follows the signing of an agreement on 2 September 2025 between Dusit Thani College, the General Incorporated Association Center for Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test, and the All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, with support from the Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau and Jeducation language school in Bangkok.
As Thailand’s first certified testing centre, Dusit Thani College can now recruit and train Thai and ASEAN candidates through its renowned hospitality and culinary arts programmes and facilitate their official skills certification locally. Successful graduates will qualify for employment in Japan via the government’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, introduced in 2019 to help address labour shortages in industries such as hospitality and food and beverage.
Aligned with Dusit Thani College’s fast-track Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP), which prepares participants for entry-level roles in just six months, the new pathway gives aspiring professionals a unique opportunity to train, gain certification, and access employment in Japan.
The All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, representing more than 15,000 traditional inns and hotels across Japan, will help promote certified candidates to member employers via dedicated job fairs hosted in Bangkok. Dusit Hotels and Resorts will also welcome graduates to its own properties in Japan, including Dusit Thani Kyoto and ASAI Kyoto Shijo, further strengthening opportunities for international placement.
Jeducation, a leading Japanese language school in Bangkok, will provide essential language training to ensure participants meet SSW visa requirements, fully equipping them for life and work in Japan.
This collaboration directly addresses the hospitality skills shortage in Japan while creating exciting career opportunities for our students. By combining world-class training at Dusit Thani College with official certification and a clear pathway to employment, we are building a strong pipeline of talent that benefits both Thailand and Japan. John Lohr, Executive Director of External Affairs, Dusit Thani College
Makoto Yamashita, Area General Manager – Kyoto, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, added, This partnership underscores our commitment to developing future leaders in hospitality and giving them access to life-changing opportunities abroad. It is a win–win for our students, our partners, and the wider industry.
Dusit Thani College will begin recruiting candidates for its TOP Japan Pathway programme in October 2025. The first examinations and employer recruitment fairs are scheduled to take place in February 2026.
For more information, please visit dtc.ac.th/en/home.
About Dusit Thani College
Dusit Thani College (DTC), located in Bangkok and home to more than 3,500 students, is Thailand’s first and largest institute dedicated to hospitality education and training. A subsidiary of Dusit International, one of Southeast Asia’s leading hospitality companies, the college combines academic excellence with practical, real-world experience to nurture students’ holistic development and equip them with the knowledge and skills to excel as global hospitality professionals.
The college offers two international undergraduate programmes: a B.B.A. in Professional Culinary Arts, delivered in collaboration with Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School; and a B.B.A. in Hospitality Management, featuring professional experience with Dusit Hotels and Resorts. The college also provides a wide range of short courses and talent development programmes to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
For more information, please visit dtc.ac.th/en/home.
About Dusit Hotels and Resorts
Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes close to 300 properties operating under a total of nine brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, Dusit Hotels, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide.
For more information, please visit dusit.com
About Dusit International
Established in 1949, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Dusit Estate, and Hospitality-Related Services.
Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.
For more information, please visit dusit-international.com
Ravidhut Boonyakierti
Director of Public Relations | Dusit Thani College
+ (0) 81 696 5013
Dusit Thani College
