Cambodia is using art beneath the sea to promote Kep as a more sustainable coastal tourism destination. On August 10, 2026, officials highlighted a new partnership between the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) and Art for Kep, which aims to promote Kep internationally while supporting the development of the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery, described as Southeast Asia’s first underwater art museum. The project brings together contemporary art, marine conservation and tourism to create a new experience for visitors while supporting the protection and restoration of Kep’s marine environment.
The partnership was signed last week at Knai Bang Chatt in Kep, with the two sides planning to work together on international marketing. Through the CTB’s Matching Grant Programme, they will co invest in overseas promotion designed to attract more international visitors, encourage them to stay longer and increase economic benefits for local communities.
An Underwater Gallery Designed for Marine Life
Located off the coast of Kep inside a marine protection area, the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery offers a different kind of tourism experience. Instead of simply displaying sculptures on land, the project places artworks underwater where they can become part of the marine environment.
The sculptures are designed to provide substrates for living reefs. As marine life gradually grows around the artworks, the pieces are expected to become increasingly integrated with the surrounding ecosystem. This approach gives visitors a cultural attraction while also supporting a broader effort to strengthen the marine environment.
Linking Art With Conservation
For Kep, the project offers a way to expand its tourism identity beyond its well known coastline and seafood. Art for Kep Chairman Jef Moons said the project aimed to show Kep offers more than its coastline by combining art with marine restoration.
The idea reflects a growing interest in tourism experiences that connect visitors with nature and conservation. Rather than treating the environment simply as a backdrop for tourism, the Ocean Gallery is designed to make conservation part of the visitor experience itself.
A New Tourism Opportunity for Kep
CTB CEO Kim Minea said the partnership would highlight Kep’s mix of nature, culture and coastal experiences while supporting the gallery’s development as a destination linking contemporary art with conservation. Through CTB’s Matching Grant Programme, the two sides will co-invest in overseas marketing to attract visitors, encourage longer stays and boost local benefits.
The international promotion could help introduce Kep to travelers looking for experiences beyond traditional beach tourism. By combining underwater art, marine ecosystems and local culture, the destination has an opportunity to create a distinctive tourism product that appeals to visitors interested in nature, creativity and sustainable travel.
Building on Kep’s Coastal Identity
Kep is already known for its crab, mangroves, fishing communities and surrounding islands. It is also part of Cambodia’s wider coastal tourism area, together with Koh Kong, Kampot and Preah Sihanouk.
The underwater gallery adds another layer to this existing tourism offer. Instead of competing only on beaches and coastal scenery, Kep can use its marine environment as a setting for cultural experiences while reinforcing the importance of protecting that environment.
What Does It Mean for Sustainable Tourism?
The partnership reflects Cambodia’s broader effort to diversify its tourism products by bringing culture, conservation and nature based experiences together. For Kep, the underwater gallery could become more than a new attraction. It represents an approach where tourism development and environmental protection are designed to support each other.
If successfully promoted internationally, the project could help encourage longer visitor stays, generate additional opportunities for local businesses and strengthen Kep’s position among Cambodia’s coastal destinations. More importantly, it shows how creative tourism experiences can be developed around conservation rather than at the expense of it.
Conclusion
Cambodia’s decision to promote Kep through underwater art offers a fresh direction for coastal tourism. By combining contemporary sculpture, marine restoration and international tourism promotion, the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery gives visitors another reason to explore Kep while highlighting the importance of protecting its marine environment. The project could help Kep build a distinctive identity as a destination where art, nature and sustainable tourism meet.