Cambodia and EU strengthen tourism cooperation with focus on eco-tourism and potential investment

Cambodia and EU strengthen tourism cooperation with focus on eco-tourism and potential investment

Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and the European Union (EU) Embassy to Cambodia discussed strengthening tourism cooperation to focus on key areas, including eco-tourism to support local communities, promoting Cambodia to European travellers, and potential investment in the sector.

The discussion took place on Monday at the Ministry of Tourism, where Minister of Tourism Huot Hak welcomed Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, and his colleagues for a courtesy call and an exchange of views.

According to the ministry’s statement, ​both sides discussed establishing and expanding cooperation in the tourism sector, focusing on examining the possibility of establishing joint cooperation on eco-tourism projects to help people in the community, helping to connect with member states on supporting capacity building in the tourism sector.

They also discussed encouraging major European airlines to consider establishing direct flights to Cambodia and promoting the country’s tourism potential more widely to European citizens.

“I would like to express my gratitude and high appreciation for the significant achievements and contributions to Cambodia and its people, particularly the ‘Our Tonle Sap’ project aimed at conserving the Tonle Sap region, which was accomplished during the Ambassador’s mandate,” he said.

“I especially value the Ambassador’s deep affection for Cambodia, the Cambodian people, and Khmer culture and traditions, as reflected in a video showcasing how Cambodians celebrate Khmer New Year, the Royal Water Festival, and the Pchum Ben Festival.”

Hak emphasised that the increase in the number of tourists from the European Union to Cambodia from year to year reflects the good relations and the factors of peace, political stability, and good public order in Cambodia, which make Cambodia considered a highly safe and secure tourist destination with rapid development in all sectors by tourists and investors from the European Union.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Igor Driesmans also highlighted to Minister Hak the support of the European Union, Cambodia’s second largest trading partner, which has consistently supported Cambodia since the liberation from the genocide regime and provided full development assistance in all sectors from 1997 to the present.

At the time, Hak and the EU Ambassador expressed their shared view that tourism is a factor that helps to enhance relations between countries and people-to-people exchanges between Cambodia and the European Union, making them closer and more friendly.

Ministry of Tourism stated that Cambodia will soon be connected by air to both Europe and the Middle East through a new direct flight from Istanbul, scheduled to launch on December 10, 2025.

Regarding the eco-tourism, Minister Hak met with Men Nearyvudthy Ho Sithi, Honorary Vice President of the Khmer Elephant Conservation Foundation – Airavata, and her delegation, during a courtesy call at the Ministry last week.

During the meeting they exchanged views and explored avenues of cooperation to promote eco-tourism in Ratanakiri province through the conservation of local elephants.

Hak further affirmed the ministry’s readiness to cooperate in promoting elephant conservation and enhancing eco-tourism potential in the region by raising public awareness, encouraging nationwide participation, and safeguarding Cambodia’s unique and breathtaking eco-tourism sites in the northeastern provinces as sustainable and inclusive destinations.

According to the report of MoT, Cambodia welcomed over 3.36 million international tourists in the first six months of 2025, marking a 6.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

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