If you are thinking about becoming a tour guide or launching your own tour operation, a new initiative from Cambodia’s tourism authorities may be exactly what you need. The Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the ASEAN China Centre, has rolled out a specialized training program aimed at helping Cambodian tour operators deliver higher quality services tailored to the growing Chinese market. This effort reflects a broader push to strengthen skills, raise service standards, and position Cambodia as a competitive destination in the region.

Building Skills for a Fast Growing Market

The training program, officially launched in Phnom Penh, brought together more than 200 participants including industry professionals, trainers, and tourism leaders. Tourism Minister Hout Hak presided over the opening, alongside Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General of the ASEAN China Centre. The program focuses on practical, real world skills that tour operators can immediately apply, especially when serving Chinese visitors, one of Cambodia’s key tourism markets. By improving service quality and cultural understanding, the initiative aims to help local operators better meet international expectations and build long term business success.

Minister Hout Hak emphasized that Cambodia’s political stability, strong security, and steady economic growth continue to support tourism development. These factors make the country an attractive and safe destination for international travelers, with increasingly convenient air and land connections. For aspiring tour guides and operators, this creates a favorable environment to enter the market and grow a sustainable business.

Strong Promotion Campaigns Driving Tourism Growth

Cambodia is not relying on stability alone. The government is actively promoting the country through major campaigns such as Cambodia-China Tourism Year and the well known Cambodia Kingdom of Wonder branding. These initiatives are designed to showcase the country’s culture, hospitality, and unique travel experiences while strengthening its appeal to global tourists.

At the same time, the Ministry of Tourism is working with partners to diversify tourism offerings and host large scale events. Festivals like the Sea Festival, eco tourism events, and environment focused activities are helping attract a wider range of visitors. For tour operators, this means more opportunities to design creative packages and tap into niche travel segments that go beyond traditional sightseeing.

Regional Cooperation Strengthens Industry Capacity

The collaboration with the ASEAN China Centre plays a critical role in this effort. The organization has consistently supported Cambodia through training programs, investor familiarization trips, and promotional activities that build trust and visibility in the Chinese market. These partnerships are essential for transferring knowledge, improving standards, and opening doors for local businesses to connect with international partners.

Another major boost comes from the upcoming visa policy. From June 15 to October 15, 2026, Chinese tourists will be allowed to stay in Cambodia for 14 days without a visa and can enter and exit multiple times. This temporary measure is expected to significantly increase tourist arrivals, creating immediate opportunities for tour operators who are ready to meet demand with professional and well structured services.

Conclusion

For anyone asking whether now is the right time to become a tour guide or tour operator in Cambodia, the answer is increasingly clear. With strong government support, targeted training programs, and growing international demand, the tourism sector is opening up real opportunities for newcomers and established businesses alike. Investing in skills, understanding key markets like China, and staying aligned with national tourism strategies could be the difference between simply entering the industry and truly succeeding in it.

Cambodia is stepping up its tourism game through a new partnership between the Cambodia Tourism Board and Singapore Airlines, aimed at attracting more international travelers and strengthening the country’s global presence. Signed on April 27 in Phnom Penh, the nine month agreement brings together key industry leaders, including Tourism Minister Huot Hak, to support a shared vision of expanding tourism flows between Cambodia and Singapore while reaching new markets worldwide.

Joint Marketing Campaigns to Reach Global Travelers

At the heart of the agreement is a co investment of 140,000 US dollars to fund joint marketing campaigns and familiarisation trips. These initiatives will target influential voices and travelers from Australia, France, and Singapore, while also laying the groundwork for longer term promotion in India.

By combining resources and expertise, both sides aim to amplify Cambodia’s visibility in competitive tourism markets and appeal to a broader, more diverse audience of global travelers.

Showcasing Cambodia Through a Global Airline Network

Vinod Kannan, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing at Singapore Airlines, highlighted the strategic advantage of the collaboration.

“Through joint campaigns and promotional activities, we will showcase Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions, while offering travellers convenient access via SIA’s global network.”

His remarks underline how the airline’s extensive international connectivity can play a key role in making Cambodia more accessible and appealing to long haul visitors.

Building Confidence in Cambodia’s Tourism Potential

For Minea Kim, the partnership signals growing confidence in Cambodia’s tourism sector.

“By working closely with this world renowned airline, we aim to strengthen our global outreach, attract more inbound travellers, and reshape outdated perceptions, highlighting Cambodia as a warm, welcoming and vibrant destination,” he said.

The collaboration is expected to not only increase visitor numbers but also improve how Cambodia is perceived on the global stage.

A Timely Boost for Recovery and Regional Competitiveness

Tourism Minister Huot Hak described the agreement as “a timely boost for Cambodia’s recovery and diversification strategy,” emphasizing its importance as the country works to rebuild and modernize its tourism industry.

With regional competition intensifying, partnerships like this are seen as essential to positioning Cambodia more strongly and ensuring it stands out as a destination of choice in Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

This partnership between the Cambodia Tourism Board and Singapore Airlines marks a strategic step forward in revitalizing Cambodia’s tourism sector. By leveraging global networks, targeted marketing, and international collaboration, the initiative is set to attract new visitors, strengthen the country’s image, and support long term growth.

As Cambodia continues to compete in a dynamic regional market, such alliances will be critical in shaping a more resilient and globally recognized tourism industry.

Cambodia is getting ready to roll out its nationwide “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season 2026” campaign, a major initiative designed to turn the traditionally quieter rainy months into a vibrant and attractive travel period. Running from May to October, the campaign is led by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with the Ministry of Information and private sector players.

The goal is clear to boost both domestic and international travel while building a more balanced tourism industry that performs well throughout the year rather than relying heavily on peak seasons.

A Fresh Way to Experience Cambodia

At the core of the campaign is a shift in perception. Instead of calling it the low season, officials are reframing it as the green season to highlight the country’s natural beauty at its best.

Officials say the ‘Visit Cambodia in the Green Season’ offers a unique travel experience to tourists, with rice fields in full bloom, waterfalls at their peak, and heritage sites such as Angkor Wat taking on a more tranquil atmosphere. During this time, Cambodia becomes greener, cooler, and far less crowded, offering visitors a peaceful and immersive experience that is often missed during busier months.

More Affordable Travel Opportunities

Another key advantage of the green season is affordability. Tourism authorities are promoting discounted hotel rates, special travel packages, and seasonal promotions to attract budget conscious travelers and tour operators. By positioning this period as a value driven option, Cambodia is working to overcome the long held belief that the rainy season limits travel. Instead, the campaign presents it as an opportunity to explore the country in a more relaxed and cost effective way.

Encouraging Cambodians to Explore Locally

Domestic tourism plays a central role in the 2026 strategy. Authorities are encouraging people across Cambodia to travel within the country and discover lesser known destinations, especially rural areas and eco tourism sites. This approach helps spread tourism revenue beyond major hotspots while supporting local communities, small businesses, and community based tourism projects. It also strengthens national pride by encouraging citizens to connect with their own cultural and natural heritage.

Strong Growth from the 2025 Pilot Phase

The campaign builds on impressive results from its earlier rollout. The 2025 pilot phase recorded a sharp increase in domestic travel, with a total of 9.46 million visitors between May and October. This marked a significant rise of about 64.7 percent compared to the same period in 2024, showing that the concept of green season travel is gaining traction and reshaping travel habits.

Visitor Numbers During Green Season 2025

1. Total visitors from May to October 9.46 million
2. Growth compared to 2024 64.7 percent increase

Promoting Sustainable and Responsible Tourism

Sustainability is at the heart of the campaign. Officials are promoting environmentally responsible travel by encouraging visits to eco resorts, protected natural areas, and cultural heritage sites that prioritize conservation. By spreading tourist arrivals more evenly across the year, Cambodia also aims to reduce overcrowding at popular destinations and minimize environmental pressure, helping preserve its natural and cultural assets for the future.

Expanding Promotion and Global Reach

To ensure the campaign reaches a wide audience, the government is stepping up its marketing efforts across digital platforms and traditional media. Social media campaigns, partnerships with travel agencies, and collaborations with influencers are all part of the strategy to showcase Cambodia’s beauty during the rainy season. Authorities are also exploring additional measures such as targeted promotions in key international markets, infrastructure improvements, and possible visa incentives to attract more global travelers.

Conclusion

Cambodia’s Green Season campaign for 2026 reflects a smart and strategic shift in how the country approaches tourism. By turning a once overlooked period into a compelling travel opportunity, the initiative not only supports steady economic growth but also promotes sustainability and inclusivity across the sector. With strong early results and a clear long term vision, Cambodia is positioning itself as a year round destination that offers something unique in every season.

Travel activity reached a major milestone at Techo International Airport during the recent Khmer New Year celebrations, as passenger numbers climbed sharply over the festive period. According to the General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior, the airport handled more than 100,000 international passengers between April 13 and April 19. Among them were over 34,000 foreign travelers, reflecting a strong influx of international visitors choosing Cambodia as a holiday destination during one of its most important cultural events.

Strong Inbound Travel Reflects Tourism Momentum

A closer look at the figures shows that inbound travel made up a significant share of the total traffic. More than 50,000 international passengers arrived in Cambodia during the period, including over 30,000 foreigners. This steady flow of arrivals highlights the country’s growing appeal to global travelers and signals continued recovery and expansion in the tourism sector, particularly during peak festive seasons when cultural experiences draw large crowds.

Flight Activity Peaks Over Three Day Holiday

The surge in passengers was especially evident during the official three day New Year holiday. Sin Chansereyvutha, spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, shared detailed insights into airport operations during this peak window. He said:
“during the three-day New Year holiday from April 14 to 16, 2026, Techo International Airport hosted nearly 350 departing flights, carrying close to 40,000 passengers.”
This high volume of departures demonstrates both strong outbound travel demand and the airport’s capacity to efficiently handle increased flight operations during busy travel periods.

Daily Passenger Highlights for Easy Reference

For a clearer view of travel patterns during the holiday period, here is a simplified breakdown of key passenger activity

1. April 13 to 19 total international passengers exceeded 100,000
2. Total foreign passengers surpassed 34,000
3. Inbound international passengers exceeded 50,000
4. Inbound foreign passengers surpassed 30,000
5. April 14 to 16 nearly 350 departing flights carried close to 40,000 passengers

Conclusion

The impressive surge in passenger traffic at Techo International Airport during Khmer New Year reflects both strong travel demand and Cambodia’s growing position as a regional tourism hub. With more than 100,000 international passengers recorded in just one week, alongside high flight activity and a large number of inbound visitors, the figures point to a vibrant recovery in air travel and tourism. As infrastructure and connectivity continue to improve, Cambodia is well positioned to attract even more travelers in the years ahead.