Sign Up Sign Up

Login with Google Login with LinkedIn
or use

Captcha Click on image to update the captcha.

Have an account? Sign In Now

Sign In

Login with Google Login with LinkedIn
or use

Forgot Password?

Don't have account, Sign Up Here

Forgot Password Forgot Password

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.

Have an account? Sign In Now

You must login to ask a question.

Login with Google Login with LinkedIn
or use

Forgot Password?

Need An Account, Sign Up Here

Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.

Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.

Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.

Angkor Times Logo Angkor Times Logo
Sign InSign Up

Angkor Times

Angkor Times Navigation

  • Money
  • Tech
  • Work
  • Travel
    • Phnom Penh
    • Advice for Travelers
    • Art & Culture
  • Advertise
Search
Ask A Question

Mobile menu

Close
Ask A Question
  • Money
  • Tech
  • Work
  • Travel
    • Phnom Penh
    • Advice for Travelers
    • Art & Culture
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • Business Guide
  • Living Guide
  • Tours Guide
  • Learn Khmer
  • Public Holidays
  • Emergency
  • Help

Category: Travel

Discover the vibrant lifestyle of Cambodia with the Angkor Times’ “Living in Cambodia” blog. Get the latest blogs and updates on everything from shopping and dining to travel and tourism. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, explore insights on the best places to shop, top travel destinations, and tips for enjoying all that Cambodia has to offer. Stay connected with the culture and everyday life in this fascinating country.

  • Recent Questions
  • Most Visited
  • Random

Angkor Times Latest Questions

Angkor Times
Angkor TimesExperienced
Asked: August 28, 2026In: Travel

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Unite on a New Tourism Strategy ‘One Journey, Three Destinations’ Tourism Vision: Is One Trip About to Become Three Destinations?

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are taking a major step toward making cross border travel across the three countries easier and more attractive. On August 26, 2026, tourism officials from the three nations met in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, ...Read more

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are taking a major step toward making cross border travel across the three countries easier and more attractive. On August 26, 2026, tourism officials from the three nations met in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for the first CLV Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, where they formally agreed to strengthen cooperation and adopted a Joint Action Plan for 2026 to 2028. The goal is to turn the “One Journey, Three Destinations” vision into practical tourism products, better transport connections and coordinated international promotion, with the broader aim of increasing visitor numbers, supporting trade and investment, and creating more benefits for local communities.

One Journey, Three Destinations

The new framework gives Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam a more coordinated way to promote the three countries as connected destinations rather than competing individually for international travellers. If implemented effectively, a visitor could be encouraged to combine destinations in all three countries during a single trip, potentially creating longer stays and more tourism spending across the region. The key takeaway is that CLV is moving beyond general cooperation toward a more structured regional tourism strategy.

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Create a New Tourism Cooperation Mechanism

The meeting brought together Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism Huot Hak, Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh and Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism representative Darany Phommavongsa. Their meeting marked the first ministerial level gathering focused specifically on tourism cooperation among the three countries.

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Unite on a New Tourism Strategy ‘One Journey, Three Destinations’ Tourism Vision
Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Unite on a New Tourism Strategy ‘One Journey, Three Destinations’ Tourism Vision

The move builds on discussions held during the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026, when the three sides agreed to raise CLV tourism cooperation from the technical official level to the ministerial level. At the latest meeting, the countries formally established the CLV Tourism Ministers’ Cooperation Mechanism, creating a higher level platform for coordinating tourism policies, promotion and practical initiatives. The takeaway is that tourism is becoming a more prominent part of the long standing cooperation between Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Six Priorities Will Shape Tourism Cooperation Through 2028

The Joint Action Plan for 2026 to 2028 identifies six main areas for cooperation. These include developing and connecting joint tourism products, making travel and transportation easier, jointly promoting and branding destinations under the “One Journey, Three Destinations” concept, building tourism capacity, promoting sustainable tourism and strengthening partnerships with international organisations and other international partners.

The plan also calls for joint tour packages, stronger travel and transport connectivity and coordinated destination marketing. Rather than simply asking tourists to visit one country, the strategy seeks to encourage travellers to experience multiple destinations within the CLV region. The takeaway is that better connectivity and carefully designed multi country packages could give Cambodia a stronger opportunity to capture tourists who might otherwise visit only neighbouring destinations.

Cambodia Wants to Connect More Closely With Vietnam’s Tourism Market

The agreement was accompanied by another important development under Cambodia’s “Cambodia Tourism Roadmap to Vietnam” programme. On the same day, the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, or CATA, and the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, or HTA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation between the tourism sectors of the two countries.

The Ministry of Tourism described the agreement as a key outcome of the programme. The two associations intend to work together on destination promotion and closer cooperation between travel industry players, while also working with their respective governments to increase two way tourist flows between Cambodia and Vietnam. The takeaway is that regional tourism cooperation is not staying at the government level, but is increasingly being translated into partnerships among travel industry organisations.

The Bigger Opportunity Could Come From Third Country Travellers

The partnership also looks beyond tourists travelling directly between Cambodia and Vietnam. CATA and HTA want to promote the two countries together to visitors from third country markets, giving international travellers more reasons to combine destinations during the same trip.

This could be particularly important for Cambodia because Vietnam already has extensive air connections with major tourism markets. CATA President Chhay Sivlin pointed to the potential for airlines and travel companies connected to Vietnam’s international tourism network to help promote Cambodian destinations as part of a broader regional journey.

“We have seen that many tourists from European countries have visited Vietnam, and flights in Vietnam are also connected to many major tourism markets. By connecting with Vietnam, their airlines will also promote tourism destinations in our country and advertise together,” she said.

The opportunity is straightforward: a traveller who has already decided to visit Vietnam could be encouraged to add Cambodia to the itinerary, increasing the likelihood of longer regional trips and additional spending. The takeaway is that Cambodia does not necessarily have to compete for every international traveller from the beginning, but can also benefit by becoming an attractive extension to an existing Vietnam trip.

Travel Agents Could Help Turn the Vision Into Real Packages

CATA and HTA members are travel agents, putting them in a strong position to translate the cooperation agreements into actual tourism packages. Their knowledge of travellers, destinations and logistics can help create itineraries that connect attractions in both countries in ways that are practical and appealing.

Chhay Sivlin said the two associations share similar goals and can work together to develop tourism packages that are more distinctive, attractive and widely distributed. This could involve combining destinations, coordinating transportation and marketing the experience through travel networks in both countries.

“Tourism cooperation with Vietnam is very important as it is a big country with many people. Moreover, travellers from third countries also visit it a lot. The idea is to attract tourists from Vietnam and tourists who visit Vietnam to extend their trip to Cambodia,” she said.

The takeaway is that the success of the CLV tourism vision will ultimately depend on how effectively governments, airlines, tourism associations, travel companies and destination operators turn agreements into convenient and compelling journeys for travellers.

What This Could Mean for Cambodia’s Tourism Industry?

For Cambodia, the “One Journey, Three Destinations” strategy could open opportunities beyond simply increasing visitor arrivals. More connected itineraries could encourage longer stays, create additional demand for hotels, restaurants, transportation services, tour operators and local attractions, and potentially spread tourism spending to a wider range of communities.

The approach could also create new opportunities for businesses that serve international travellers, particularly those able to build cross border products or partner with companies in Vietnam and Laos. If transport links, joint marketing and travel packages develop as planned, Cambodia could position itself as an essential part of a wider mainland Southeast Asian journey rather than only a standalone destination. The takeaway is that stronger regional integration could make Cambodia more visible, more accessible and more commercially attractive to international travellers.

CLV Tourism Cooperation Is Moving From Vision to Action

The first CLV Tourism Ministers’ Meeting represents an important shift in how Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam approach tourism cooperation. With a formal ministerial mechanism and a six point action plan covering 2026 to 2028, the three countries now have a clearer framework for turning the “One Journey, Three Destinations” concept into concrete programmes.

The real test, however, will be implementation. Better connectivity, competitive tour packages, effective international marketing and close cooperation between tourism businesses will determine whether the vision translates into more travellers and greater economic opportunities. For Cambodia, the strategy offers a clear opportunity to connect with Vietnam’s large domestic market and its international visitor base while building stronger tourism links with Laos. The takeaway is simple: if the three countries can make travelling between their destinations genuinely easy and attractive, one regional trip could become three tourism opportunities.

  • 0
    Facebook
Read less
  • 0 Answers
  • 0 Followers
Angkor Times
Angkor TimesExperienced
Asked: August 27, 2026In: Travel

Air Cambodia Operations Control Centre

Air Cambodia has inaugurated a new Airline Operations Control Centre (AOC) at its headquarters in Phnom Penh as the national flag carrier prepares for fleet modernisation and expansion of its domestic, regional and international network. The centre was officially ...Read more

Air Cambodia has inaugurated a new Airline Operations Control Centre (AOC) at its headquarters in Phnom Penh as the national flag carrier prepares for fleet modernisation and expansion of its domestic, regional and international network.

The centre was officially inaugurated on August 24 by Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and Chairman of Air Cambodia’s Board of Directors. The facility is intended to give the airline a central point for coordinating flight operations as its fleet and route network become more complex.

Zhan David, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Air Cambodia, attended the ceremony with members of the airline’s management and representatives from relevant departments.

A central hub for airline operations

According to SSCA Secretary of State and spokesperson Sinn Chanserey Vutha, the new AOC brings several operational functions together under one centralised system.

Air Cambodia launches new control centre to support fleet expansion

These include real time flight dispatch and monitoring, aircraft and crew coordination, maintenance support, ground operations and passenger service coordination. Bringing these activities together is expected to help Air Cambodia manage disruptions more effectively while improving operational safety, efficiency and reliability.

The facility therefore represents more than a new workplace for the airline. It is intended to provide the operational infrastructure needed to manage a larger and more diverse flight network.

Preparing for a larger and more diverse fleet

The new control centre comes as Air Cambodia advances plans to modernise and diversify its aircraft fleet.

The airline’s Boeing acquisition plan is intended to support future network growth and greater international connectivity. According to the plans outlined by the airline, Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are expected to provide interim capacity from 2029, while the entry into service of the planned Boeing aircraft programme is targeted from 2031, subject to implementation and delivery schedules.

Air Cambodia is also planning to introduce COMAC C909 regional aircraft for domestic and short haul regional services. The current programme provides for up to 20 aircraft, with initial deliveries expected to begin in 2026, subject to agreed delivery schedules.

For an airline expanding its fleet, the ability to coordinate aircraft, crews, maintenance, airport services and passenger handling becomes increasingly important. The AOC is designed to provide that coordination as Air Cambodia moves into its next stage of growth.

Expanding domestic connections and improving transfers

Fleet growth is being accompanied by efforts to strengthen Air Cambodia’s domestic network.

The airline is working to improve passenger convenience and scheduling flexibility on routes linking Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. These connections are important to domestic travel while also supporting passengers moving between Cambodia’s main destinations.

Air Cambodia is also working with Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, relevant authorities and service providers to improve transfer procedures. The work includes areas such as immigration, security, baggage handling and other passenger facilitation measures.

The aim is to make connections between domestic and international services more efficient, particularly as the airline develops a broader network.

A step in Cambodia’s aviation development

Mao Havannall highlighted Air Cambodia’s continuing transformation and its role in Cambodia’s connectivity, tourism, trade and wider aviation sector.

For the airline, the new AOC provides an operational foundation for its planned fleet and network expansion. The centre also reflects the increasing importance of coordinated aviation systems as Cambodia seeks to strengthen links between its cities and connect more effectively with regional and international markets.

Air Cambodia’s next phase will depend not only on new aircraft, but also on the systems, personnel and airport coordination required to operate them effectively. The new control centre is intended to support those needs by bringing key operational functions together.

What the new control centre means for Air Cambodia?

The central question is how Air Cambodia can manage a larger fleet and expanding network safely and efficiently. The new AOC is part of the answer.

By combining flight monitoring, aircraft and crew coordination, maintenance support, ground operations and passenger service coordination, the facility gives the airline a central operational platform for its planned growth. Continued investment in aircraft, people, systems and airport coordination will determine how effectively that platform supports the airline’s expansion.

For Cambodia, the significance extends beyond the airline itself. Stronger operational capacity at the national carrier can support greater domestic connectivity and help the country develop stronger air links with regional and international markets.

  • 0
    Facebook
Read less
  • 0 Answers
  • 0 Followers
Angkor Times
Angkor TimesExperienced
Asked: August 14, 2026In: Travel

SSCA and SAI Step Up Efforts to Drive Air Traffic Growth in Siem Reap: Here’s What you Need to Know!

Siem Reap is stepping up efforts to bring more air passengers back to the province as the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) work together to expand flight connectivity and attract airlines ...Read more

Siem Reap is stepping up efforts to bring more air passengers back to the province as the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) work together to expand flight connectivity and attract airlines from key international markets. The initiative was discussed on Wednesday during a meeting between Mao Havannall, Minister in Charge of SSCA, and Lu Wei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. (AIAI), which operates SAI. The goal is not only to increase passenger numbers but also to strengthen Siem Reap’s tourism sector and encourage longer visitor stays.

SSCA and SAI Step Up Efforts to Drive Air Traffic Growth in Siem Reap

The push comes as passenger traffic at SAI continues to recover but remains well below pre pandemic levels. The airport handled 1.47 million passengers in 2025, a 5.3 percent increase from 2024, yet that figure represented only 37.6 percent of the passenger volume recorded in 2019. During the first six months of 2026, SAI welcomed 714,133 passengers. SSCA and the airport are therefore looking at new routes, higher flight frequencies and airline incentives to help accelerate the recovery.

Why SAI Is Looking to Bring More Passengers Back?

Since opening in October 2023, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport has become the main aviation gateway for visitors travelling to Siem Reap and the Angkor region. The airport was built to strengthen the province’s international connectivity and support the long term development of tourism around the UNESCO listed Angkor Archaeological Park.

However, passenger numbers have yet to return to the levels seen before COVID 19. SSCA Secretary of State and spokesman Sinn Chanserey Vutha said the airport’s role in improving connectivity is significant, while acknowledging that stronger efforts are needed to rebuild passenger traffic.

China, India, South Korea and ASEAN in Focus

One of the key priorities discussed by SSCA and SAI is attracting additional flights from markets with strong potential to send visitors to Siem Reap. These include China, India, South Korea, the Middle East and other ASEAN countries.

The strategy reflects the importance of diversifying Siem Reap’s international visitor base. More direct routes and more frequent flights could make it easier for tourists, business travellers and other international visitors to reach the province without relying heavily on connecting flights through other regional hubs.

For tourism businesses, stronger air connectivity could also create opportunities to attract visitors from new markets and develop packages tailored to different traveller groups.

Airline Incentives Could Help Open New Routes

To encourage airlines to increase their presence in Siem Reap, the two sides also discussed incentive programmes involving airport service fees. Such measures are intended to make it more attractive for airlines to introduce new routes or increase flight frequencies on existing connections.

The approach is particularly important in a competitive regional aviation market, where airlines carefully assess passenger demand, operating costs and the potential profitability of new routes. If incentives can reduce some of the initial costs associated with launching services, they could help SAI build stronger connections with priority markets.

SAI has a 3,600 metre runway and a 4E airport classification, giving it the infrastructure needed to serve as a major international gateway to Siem Reap and the Angkor region.

A New Tourism Vision for the Former Siem Reap Airport

Air connectivity is only one part of the broader strategy. During the meeting, representatives of AIAI and its investment partner, Yuntou Group, also presented a proposal for the redevelopment of the former Siem Reap airport site under the “Miracle Angkor” project.

The 196 hectare site is proposed as a major cultural, tourism, commercial and night time tourism destination. Plans include an international exhibition centre, a digital museum and carbon free green tourism performances, creating additional reasons for visitors to spend time in Siem Reap beyond visiting the temples.

The proposed development could add new attractions to the province’s tourism offering while creating opportunities for businesses connected to hospitality, retail, entertainment, events and tourism services.

From Transit Tourism to Longer Stays

A central objective of the proposed “Miracle Angkor” project is to help move Siem Reap away from a tourism model where visitors mainly arrive, visit Angkor and leave after a short stay.

By adding cultural attractions, entertainment, commercial activities and night time experiences, the project aims to encourage tourists to remain in the province longer. Longer stays could mean more spending on hotels, restaurants, transportation, shopping, entertainment and local experiences.

For local businesses and investors, this shift could be particularly important because increasing the length of stay can create greater economic value from each international visitor rather than relying only on higher visitor numbers.

The Proposal Still Requires Further Review

Although the redevelopment plan offers an ambitious vision for the former airport site, it is not yet a finalised project. The proposal will require further study, evaluation and coordination among relevant inter ministerial bodies.

Authorities will also need to ensure that any development complies with existing laws and regulations, particularly those involving aviation safety, land management and heritage protection. These considerations are important given Siem Reap’s proximity to the Angkor Archaeological Park and the cultural significance of the surrounding area.

What Does Stronger Air Connectivity Mean for Siem Reap?

The cooperation between SSCA and SAI shows that restoring passenger traffic is being approached as part of a wider tourism and economic strategy. More flights can bring more visitors, but the bigger opportunity is to connect those visitors with more attractions, businesses and experiences throughout Siem Reap.

If new routes are successfully opened and passenger numbers continue to recover, the benefits could extend beyond the airport. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, retailers, transport providers and other tourism related businesses could all gain from a larger and more diverse flow of international visitors.

Conclusion

SSCA and SAI are taking a more active approach to rebuilding Siem Reap’s air connectivity by targeting new international markets, encouraging airlines to expand services and considering incentives for new routes. At the same time, the proposed “Miracle Angkor” redevelopment could give visitors more reasons to stay longer and spend more time in the province.

The challenge will be turning these plans into sustained passenger growth while protecting Siem Reap’s heritage and ensuring development is managed responsibly. If stronger connectivity is matched with compelling tourism experiences and effective investment, aviation could become a much stronger engine for Siem Reap’s tourism recovery, business activity and long term economic growth.

  • 0
    Facebook
Read less
  • 0 Answers
  • 0 Followers
Angkor Times
Angkor TimesExperienced
Asked: August 13, 2026In: Travel

Cambodia Launches $60K Airline Co-Marketing Grants: How Could This Bring More International Travellers?

Cambodia is taking another step to strengthen its international tourism connections by launching a new airline marketing grant worth up to $60,000 per carrier. On Tuesday, the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) introduced the Fly Cambodia Co-Marketing Grant, ...Read more

Cambodia is taking another step to strengthen its international tourism connections by launching a new airline marketing grant worth up to $60,000 per carrier. On Tuesday, the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) introduced the Fly Cambodia Co-Marketing Grant, a program designed to work with airlines to promote Cambodia in international source markets, increase passenger demand and encourage more travellers to book flights to the Kingdom. The initiative comes as Cambodia expands its airport infrastructure and airline capacity, with the government and tourism sector looking for stronger demand to support new and existing international routes.

Cambodia's $60K Airline Co-Marketing Grants

Rather than simply adding more flights, the program focuses on making sure travellers know about Cambodia and have a reason to visit. Under the scheme, CTB will share the cost of eligible destination marketing campaigns with participating airlines, helping them reach potential travellers in the markets they serve. The program is open to both international and local airlines operating routes to Cambodia’s international airports.

Airlines Could Receive Up to $60,000 in Marketing Support

Under the Fly Cambodia Co-Marketing Grant, CTB will reimburse up to 50 percent of a participating airline’s verified eligible spending on destination marketing. Each airline can receive a maximum of $60,000 per grant cycle. The funding is specifically intended for campaigns that promote Cambodia as a tourism destination and generate travel demand in the markets connected to the airline’s routes.

CTB Launches $60K Airline Grants to Help Connect Cambodia to Global Travellers

The approach gives airlines and CTB an opportunity to combine their strengths. Airlines understand their customers, booking patterns and individual markets, while CTB brings destination marketing expertise and a broader national tourism strategy. By investing together, both sides can focus promotional campaigns on travellers who are more likely to consider Cambodia for their next trip.

CTB Chief Executive Officer Kim Minea said, “Air connectivity provides the foundation for market access, but sustained route performance also depends on passenger demand. Airlines know their markets, customers and booking behaviour, which is essential to reaching the right audiences with greater precision.”

He said, “The Fly Cambodia Co-Marketing Grant enables CTB and our airline partners to combine destination marketing expertise with airlines’ market intelligence and distribution capabilities.

By co-investing in campaigns, we can target demand more effectively, improve the impact of our marketing efforts and help turn available seats into travellers.”

Why Cambodia Needs Stronger Passenger Demand?

Cambodia has invested heavily in aviation infrastructure in recent years. According to a CTB press release, the $2.3 billion Techo International Airport, which began commercial operations in September 2025, has strengthened the Kingdom’s potential as a regional aviation hub. The $1.1 billion Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, which opened in 2023, has also become a major international gateway for visitors travelling to the country.

Sihanoukville International Airport has also extended its runway, allowing it to accommodate wide body aircraft and support long haul international carriers. Together, these developments give Cambodia greater capacity to welcome international visitors. However, additional airport and airline capacity alone does not guarantee strong route performance. Airlines also need consistent passenger demand to make routes commercially sustainable.

This is the challenge the new grant is intended to address. By supporting joint marketing campaigns, CTB hopes to increase Cambodia’s visibility in international markets and persuade more travellers to choose the Kingdom. In practical terms, the strategy is about turning available airline seats into actual visitors.

Building a Stronger Global Tourism Image

The grant is part of a wider effort to strengthen Cambodia’s international tourism position. CTB is working on several key elements, including a stronger tourism narrative, clearly defined unique selling propositions and a more consistent tourism brand architecture.

The tourism body is also developing a tourism product inventory and media content library that can support international promotional campaigns. These tools are intended to give Cambodia stronger and more consistent material for marketing across different markets and platforms.

The broader objective is to address outdated perceptions of Cambodia and present the Kingdom as a destination that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Stronger destination branding could also help Cambodia attract visitors beyond its traditional markets and encourage tourists to explore destinations outside the most established tourism centres.

CTB Expands Partnerships With Airlines and Travel Platforms

The Cambodia Tourism Board has already been working with airlines and travel platforms through joint marketing activities. Recent partnerships have included Air Cambodia, Singapore Airlines and AirAsia, among others, with campaigns aimed at increasing Cambodia’s visibility and stimulating demand in important international markets.

The new grant formalises and expands this approach by giving more airlines an opportunity to participate in shared destination marketing. Instead of relying entirely on airlines to promote individual routes or CTB to promote Cambodia independently, the program creates a framework for both sides to invest in campaigns together.

For Cambodia’s tourism industry, this could be particularly important as the country seeks to diversify its international visitor base, increase arrivals and tourism revenue, encourage longer stays and spread tourism activity more widely across the country.

What Does the Grant Mean for Cambodia’s Tourism and Aviation Industry?

The initiative could give airlines a stronger incentive to promote Cambodia in the markets where they operate. For tourism businesses, stronger airline marketing could translate into greater visibility, more international visitors and potentially higher demand for hotels, restaurants, tour services, attractions and other tourism related businesses.

For travellers, the impact may appear through more Cambodia focused advertising, travel promotions and destination campaigns in international markets. For airlines, meanwhile, the grant can help reduce part of the marketing cost associated with generating demand for Cambodia bound routes.

Importantly, the funding is not designed to cover the operational costs of running an airline route. It applies only to eligible marketing activities that are intended to increase travel demand for Cambodia. This keeps the program focused on its central objective: attracting more travellers to the Kingdom.

Conclusion

Cambodia’s new $60,000 airline marketing grant comes at a time when the Kingdom has significantly expanded its aviation infrastructure and is looking to strengthen international tourism demand. By sharing destination marketing costs with airlines, CTB aims to connect Cambodia more effectively with travellers in key international markets and support the long term performance of air routes.

The bigger opportunity is not simply bringing more flights to Cambodia, but making sure those flights have enough passengers. If the Fly Cambodia Co Marketing Grant succeeds in turning stronger global promotion into more bookings, it could benefit airlines, tourism businesses and destinations across the Kingdom while helping Cambodia build a stronger position on the international tourism map.

  • 0
    Facebook
Read less
  • 0 Answers
  • 0 Followers
Angkor Times
Angkor TimesExperienced
Asked: August 10, 2026In: Travel

Kep Underwater Art: A New Tourism Attraction Beneath the Sea?

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 ...Read more

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.

Kep’s Underwater Art Tourism Attraction

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.

Kep underwater art

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.

Cambodia Uses Underwater Art to Promote Kep as Sustainable Coastal Tourism Destination

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.

  • 0
    Facebook
Read less
  • 0 Answers
  • 0 Followers
1 2 … 70

Sidebar

  • Useful links
  • Official Angkor Pass/Ticket
    www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh
  • E-visa Cambodia
    www.evisa.gov.kh
  • Cambodia e-Arrival
    Android App | iOS App
  • Bakong Tourist Apps
    Android App | iOS App
  • Online Busienss Registration
    Business Registration System
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Angkor Times
  • Write for Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 Angkor Times.
Powered by Angkor Times

Explore

  • Home
  • Business Guide
  • Living Guide
  • Tours Guide
  • Learn Khmer
  • Public Holidays
  • Emergency
  • Help