By MoT
Siem Reap. Cambodia Takes a New Step Towards Becoming a Film Tourism Destination through Public-Private Collaboration.
H.E. HUOT Hak, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Working Group for Coordinating and Supporting Film Tourism and Night-Time Temple Visits in Cambodia, highlighted Cambodia’s strong potential to position itself as a film tourism destination at both the national and international levels.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Workshop on “Promoting Film Tourism in Cambodia,” H.E. the Minister stated:“Cambodia is much more than Angkor Wat. We are also blessed with an abundance of beautiful ‘natural studios’, including our coastal areas, mountains, forests and waterfalls in the northeastern region, Koh Ker Temple, the Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex, as well as many other architectural and historical sites. These remarkable locations are waiting for Cambodian and international filmmakers to capture their beauty and showcase Cambodia to the world.”
The National Workshop serves as an important platform to bridge and foster dialogue among government institutions, stakeholders in the film industry, and the tourism sector. It aims to jointly identify opportunities, address challenges, and determine key measures to enhance the development and competitiveness of film tourism in Cambodia.
The workshop was attended by H.E. Hab Touch, Permanent Secretary of State and Vice-Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Working Group, representing H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts; H.E. Ngov Sengkak, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap Province; Their Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, ladies and gentlemen serving as vice-chairpersons and members of the Inter-Ministerial Working Group; representatives of relevant ministries and institutions; the private sector; tourism associations; the Cambodia Film Association; artists’ associations; filmmakers; actors and actresses; as well as national and international distinguished guests, totaling more than 200 participants.
H.E. the Minister underscored that, amid increasingly intense competition in the global tourism market, Cambodia can no longer promote itself as a tourism destination by relying on a single product or solely on its cultural and historical assets through conventional approaches. Instead, Cambodia must shift from selling “places” to selling “experiences,” and from showcasing “scenery” to creating “stories”—stories with a distinctive identity, meaningful depth, and the power to touch the hearts of travelers.
H.E. the Minister further noted that the new generation of travelers no longer simply wishes to visit or take photographs at a destination. They want to immerse themselves in meaningful experiences, discover the stories behind each place, and create lasting memories that connect them deeply with the destination.
