Cambodia Unveils ‘Sacred Tourism 2025-2035’ Policy to Attract High-Quality Visitors and Investments.

The Royal Government of Cambodia, through the National Tourism Development Committee (NTDC), has announced the development of the “Sacred Tourism 2025-2035” policy, a bold initiative aimed at transforming select areas into high-end tourism destinations. This initiative seeks to attract special visitors and investors, positioning Cambodia as a premier global tourism destination.

A Strategic Shift Toward High-Value Tourism

Cambodia has long been recognized for its cultural and historical richness, with landmarks such as Angkor Wat drawing millions of visitors annually. However, with shifting global tourism trends, the government is now aiming to elevate its tourism sector by focusing on niche markets such as eco-tourism, agro-tourism, wellness tourism, and high-end cultural tourism.

The Sacred Tourism policy aligns with Cambodia’s broader economic strategy to attract affluent travelers, retirees with financial means, and second-home buyers. By providing exclusive tourism experiences and investment opportunities, the country hopes to boost revenue while ensuring sustainable development and cultural preservation.

Key Features of the Sacred Tourism Policy

The Sacred Tourism 2025-2035 policy introduces several strategic initiatives:

1. Development of Specialized Tourism Destinations

The government has identified specific locations with high tourism potential to be transformed into world-class tourism hubs. These areas will offer top-tier accommodations, recreational facilities, fine dining, and essential infrastructure such as financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare.

2. Targeting High-Value Visitors

Under the policy, Cambodia will introduce the concept of “special tourists”—individuals granted exclusive entry and privileges to invest, live, and conduct business within designated tourism zones. These visitors include:

• Business travelers
• Retirees with substantial financial resources
• Second-home buyers
• Investors in tourism-related projects

These high-end visitors will not only contribute financially to the tourism industry but will also drive investment in supporting sectors like real estate, finance, and hospitality.

3. Strong Government and Private Sector Collaboration

The success of the Sacred Tourism policy relies on collaboration between the government, private sector, and public-private partnerships (PPPs). The government will provide regulatory frameworks and incentives to attract foreign investment while ensuring responsible and sustainable tourism development.

Economic and Social Impact

The implementation of the Sacred Tourism policy is expected to create significant economic benefits, including:

• Job Creation: The expansion of tourism-related businesses will generate employment opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, real estate, healthcare, and financial services.
• Infrastructure Development: Investments in roads, airports, hospitals, and telecommunications will enhance the overall quality of life for both tourists and local residents.
• Cultural and Environmental Preservation: By focusing on high-value, low-impact tourism, Cambodia aims to protect its cultural heritage and natural resources while promoting sustainable tourism practices.

Projected Tourism Growth by 2035

According to Senior Minister Thong Khon, the NTDC aims to attract more than 2 million high-value visitors by 2035. This will be part of the projected 15 million international tourists expected to visit Cambodia annually by that year.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the government will implement marketing campaigns targeting luxury travelers, retirees, and business investors from key markets such as China, Europe, and North America. Additionally, improvements in visa policies and investment regulations will make Cambodia an attractive destination for long-term stays and business ventures.

Cambodia’s Vision for a Thriving Tourism Industry

The launch of the Sacred Tourism 2025-2035 policy marks a transformative step for Cambodia’s tourism industry. By shifting towards high-end, specialized tourism, the country is setting the stage for sustainable growth that benefits both visitors and local communities. With its unique blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and strategic tourism policies, Cambodia is poised to become one of the most sought-after destinations for luxury and niche travelers in the coming decade.

As Cambodia continues to enhance its tourism landscape, the Sacred Tourism policy will play a crucial role in defining the future of the industry, ensuring long-term prosperity while maintaining the country’s rich heritage and environmental sustainability.

The National Research and Development (R&D) Committee: Shaping Cambodia’s Knowledge-Based Economy.

In a rapidly evolving world where scientific innovation and technological advancements are key drivers of national growth, Cambodia has taken a strategic step toward becoming a knowledge-based economy. The establishment of the National Research and Development (R&D) Committee is a bold move that signals the country’s commitment to enhancing its scientific and technological ecosystem, aligning research efforts with national priorities, and fostering sustainable socio-economic development.

What is the National R&D Committee?

The National R&D Committee, established on January 13, 2025, under the umbrella of the National Council of Science, Technology & Innovation (NCSTI), plays a pivotal role in steering Cambodia’s research and development agenda. This committee brings together diverse stakeholders from local and international research bodies, governmental institutions, and the private sector, to create a cohesive strategy for research that directly supports Cambodia’s long-term development goals.

As part of the government’s broader vision for a knowledge-based economy by 2050, the committee will serve as the driving force behind efforts to foster scientific research and innovation, with a particular focus on areas that will impact Cambodia’s growth in the coming decades. Its creation marks an important milestone in the country’s pursuit of scientific excellence, technological progress, and socio-economic transformation.

What Does the National R&D Committee Do?

The core mission of the National R&D Committee is to oversee and coordinate research efforts across Cambodia. By doing so, it ensures that research activities are aligned with national priorities and that they contribute to the country’s broader economic and technological development. Key roles of the committee include:

1. Developing Policies and Strategic Plans: The committee is responsible for designing national research policies and strategic plans. This includes crafting a National Research Agenda that outlines priority sectors such as food production, energy, education, healthcare, and more. These plans act as a blueprint for guiding scientific endeavors toward practical solutions for national development challenges.
2. Fostering Local and International Collaborations: Effective research is seldom done in isolation. The committee actively promotes collaboration between local researchers and international stakeholders to enhance Cambodia’s research capacity. By facilitating global partnerships, the committee ensures that Cambodian researchers are not working in a vacuum but are contributing to—and benefiting from—the global scientific community.
3. Supporting Young Talent and Innovation: The future of R&D lies in the hands of young researchers and innovators. The committee encourages youth involvement in science and technology by providing opportunities for research training, scholarships, and professional development. It also promotes the commercialization of innovative ideas, turning research findings into marketable products and services.
4. Ensuring Ethical and High-Quality Research: Ethical research practices are the cornerstone of credible scientific inquiry. The National R&D Committee enforces research ethics guidelines to ensure that all studies conducted in Cambodia uphold scientific integrity. This is crucial for maintaining public trust in scientific advancements, especially when they directly impact sectors like healthcare and education.
5. Monitoring and Evaluating Research Impact: To ensure that research outcomes are truly beneficial to Cambodia’s development, the committee establishes systems for monitoring and evaluating research progress. By tracking key performance indicators such as publications, patents, and research outputs, the committee ensures that research projects remain relevant to Cambodia’s national priorities.

How Does the Committee Align Research with Cambodia’s Development Goals?

Central to the committee’s work is the commitment to aligning research efforts with the goals outlined in Cambodia’s STI Roadmap 2030, which aims to position the country as a middle-income nation by 2030 and a high-income economy by 2050. The National Research Agenda 2025 prioritizes critical sectors like food security, sustainable energy, education, digital healthcare, and carbon neutrality—sectors that directly contribute to both the country’s immediate needs and long-term aspirations.

Through strategic funding mechanisms, the committee ensures that resources are allocated to research projects that will have the greatest impact on Cambodia’s socio-economic development. It also works to create an environment conducive to research and innovation, encouraging local and international investment in Cambodia’s scientific potential.

The Role of the R&D Committee in Cambodia’s Future

Looking forward, the National R&D Committee will play a key role in making Cambodia’s transition to a knowledge-based economy a reality. With global competition in research and development intensifying, Cambodia’s commitment to building a robust R&D ecosystem will be essential for its competitiveness on the world stage. By supporting applied research, promoting ethical practices, and fostering international partnerships, the committee is laying the foundation for Cambodia’s future as a hub of scientific innovation.

What’s Next?

As we look to the future, the question remains: how can businesses, investors, researchers, and government officials work together to make the most of this national initiative? How can we ensure that the R&D projects funded today will have tangible benefits for the people of Cambodia in the coming years?

The National R&D Committee is a critical step in Cambodia’s journey towards national development, but its success depends on the active involvement of all stakeholders. If you are an investor, researcher, or government official, consider how you can contribute to this effort. What role can you play in supporting Cambodia’s scientific progress?

Join the conversation!

We invite you to share your thoughts on the National R&D Committee and its role in shaping Cambodia’s future. Do you see any potential challenges or opportunities in fostering innovation in Cambodia? Let’s continue the discussion!

For more detailed insights, you can read the full interview and original source of this topic here.