Takeo: H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, has urged for unified efforts to promote sustainable, resilient, and environmentally friendly tourism growth, aiming to attract both national and international visitors. He made the call in a workshop on Development, Management and Strengthening the Quality of Tourism Products and Services, held on Mar. 21 in Takeo province.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the workshop was attended by relevant officials from ministries and institutions, representatives of the provincial and capital administrations, tourism departments of all 25 capital and provinces, development partners, operators, tourism service providers, business owners, tourism associations, and content producers and social media influencers. The purpose of the workshop was to share knowledge and experience on strengths, weaknesses, investment opportunities, challenges, perspectives, and development goals in the tourism sector, aiming to encourage more national and international tourists to visit Takeo province and neighbouring provinces, he said.

H.E. Huot Hak emphasized that under the shadow of peace, Cambodia continues to maintain peace, political stability, social order, and development in all sectors, especially tourism, which can attract growth every year. In 2024, Cambodia received a total of 6.7 million international tourists, an increase of 22.9 percent, and approximately 22.5 million domestic tourists, an increase of 20.1 percent compared to 2023.

Based on the trends and the continued implementation of key measures by the Royal Government of Cambodia, as well as the implementation of the Ministry of Tourism’s strategic plans, Cambodia expects the number of international tourists to increase from approximately 7.2 to 7.5 million by 2025. The Ministry of Tourism needs the participation of all stakeholders, especially cooperation in the tourism sector, to ensure that this growth would be achievable, he said.

H.E. Minister requested all stakeholders at both national and sub-national levels to jointly promote tourism to contribute to the development of the tourism sector in a sustainable, resilient, and environmentally friendly manner. The workshop was held as the 9th River Festival is being held in Takeo province from Mar. 21 to 23 under the theme ‘The Value of River: Bridging Culture with Nature Tourism.’