Preah Sihanouk Tourism Sector Moves Toward Full Compliance
Preah Sihanouk province is currently home to 560 active tourism businesses, reflecting an increase of 45 establishments compared with 2025. According to the Provincial Tourism Department, 531 of these businesses are fully licensed, with 193 authorised by the national ministry and the remainder approved at the provincial level. Only 29 businesses are operating without valid licences. Authorities emphasise that this figure does not represent a serious concern, as many of these cases involve newly launched enterprises or businesses with expired permits that are in the process of renewal. The province’s tourism ecosystem includes hotels, apartments, guesthouses, restaurants, karaoke venues and sports tourism services, demonstrating a diversified and expanding hospitality landscape in Preah Sihanouk.
What Do the Unlicensed Cases Actually Mean?
Of the 29 unauthorised businesses, 14 are accommodation services, 13 are restaurants or cafeterias, one is an adult entertainment centre and one is a sports tourism service. Provincial Tourism Department Director Tang Sochetkresna clarified that such findings are not unusual in a growing market. Some operators are still determining how to categorise their business activities, while others already hold licences that have expired but have not yet been renewed. Startups entering the market also contribute to temporary gaps in registration. “Also, some businesses already have licences, but they have expired and business owners haven’t applied for a new one, so their business has no license,” he said. He further stressed, “There is no specific report of unlicensed businesses, and there are no negative images of this report. It’s ongoing development activities in the province, as businesses keep appearing and asking for licences.”
Why Is Licensing Compliance Important for the Province?
Economist Duch Darin views the high compliance rate as a positive indicator for the industry. “The report shows compliance with regulations in the tourism industry in Preah Sihanouk. It reaffirms the vast majority of the operators appreciate the significance of following legal standards.” He explained that stronger regulatory compliance can elevate service standards, safeguard visitors and reinforce Cambodia’s reputation as a secure destination. “In general, it is an encouraging signal that tourism in Preah Sihanouk is walking towards better formalisation, sustainable development and long-term competitiveness,” Darin stated.
How Is Tourism Performing in Preah Sihanouk?
Tourism performance data further supports the province’s recovery trajectory. In 2025, Preah Sihanouk welcomed 4,769,197 tourists. Of these, 4,353,738 were domestic visitors, marking a 0.44 percent increase, while 415,459 were international travellers, representing a strong 30.45 percent rise. The sector directly employs 10,282 workers, including 5,183 women, reflecting an increase of 793 jobs. These figures demonstrate that the tourism economy in Sihanoukville continues to generate employment and stimulate local business growth.
Can Preah Sihanouk Rebrand Itself as a Premium Destination?
While compliance and growth indicators are encouraging, reputation management remains critical. Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, commented on the broader challenges facing the province. “I do not believe these issues can be ended easily, as online criminal operations are often complex and mobile. Therefore, success will depend on sustained vigilance and continued cooperation with international authorities to ensure these activities do not simply relocate.” She emphasised that enforcement alone is not sufficient. “To truly recover Preah Sihanoukville province’s name, Cambodia must move beyond just policing and focus on a total rebranding of the province by shifting the narrative away from the gaming industry and toward world-class beaches, improved infrastructure, high-end family tourism, and creating more products and activities within the region,” she said.
Conclusion
Preah Sihanouk’s tourism sector is steadily advancing toward stronger regulatory compliance and sustainable growth. With 531 out of 560 businesses properly licensed and international arrivals rising sharply, the province is building a more structured and competitive tourism environment. While minor licensing gaps exist, authorities view them as a natural part of market expansion rather than a systemic weakness. The next strategic phase will depend not only on enforcement but also on effective branding, product diversification and sustained investment to reposition Preah Sihanouk as a high quality coastal destination in Cambodia.