AKP Phnom Penh, March 22, 2025 --

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has highlighted the potential of community-based tourism in attracting both national and international visitors.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the 9th River Festival in Takeo province this evening, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet urged the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, and other relevant stakeholders to assist local communities in managing their community-based tourism initiatives sustainably.

He also called on financial institutions, including SME Bank and commercial banks, to support community-based tourism, emphasising that it is a business model that directly benefits local people while protecting natural resources.

“The authorities should provide necessary services and infrastructure, while also assisting communities with sanitation, waste management, and marketing to ensure long-term sustainability,” he stated.

Community-based tourism is a form of responsible tourism that supports local communities and improves livelihoods. In Cambodia, over 120 tourism communities are actively attracting both domestic and international visitors.

By Heng Panha