BY TSN
Phnom Penh. Five Russian outbound tourism companies sign an MOU to develop longer-stay Cambodia itineraries, begin sales through existing connecting flights and explore the feasibility of a future charter service.
PHNOM PENH, 9 November 2026 — PATA Cambodia Chapter (PATACC) has concluded the sixth edition of its 2026 Cambodia Travel Match (CTM) Mini-Series, focused on Russia and Russian-speaking travel markets. Following five editions held since March, the final programme of the “Cambodia to the World” destination-marketing campaign brought together destination experiences and business discussions, with the aim of turning market introductions into tourism products that international operators can actively sell.
The five participating companies are outbound tour operators with business networks that include verified office locations in Moscow, Vladivostok and Nakhodka, as well as other cities in the Russian Far East. These locations refer to company office networks and should not be interpreted as confirmed departure cities for every hosted delegate. The names of the participating companies have been withheld from this media release.
The Phnom Penh programme connected Cambodian tourism businesses with international hosted buyers through product presentations and direct business discussions. A roundtable with tourism-industry stakeholders examined product readiness, air connectivity, hotel standards, value for money and destination marketing in the Russian market. Discussions focused on what is needed to enable Russian tour operators to sell Cambodia with confidence and consistency.
A key outcome was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PATACC and five Russian outbound tourism partners to jointly develop and promote three longer-stay itineraries: 7 nights/8 days, 11 nights/12 days and 14 nights/15 days. The proposed programmes will link the Angkor heritage experience in Siem Reap with the cultural and urban attractions of Phnom Penh, as well as Cambodia’s coastal destinations and islands. The aim is to encourage longer stays and visits to a wider range of destinations across the Kingdom.
All five partners expressed their commitment to begin promoting and selling Cambodia through existing connecting flights via China and other international aviation hubs, without waiting for direct charter services. The roundtable also explored the possibility of an initial charter flight in early December 2026. However, no flight or schedule has been officially confirmed. Any future decision will depend on market demand, commercial arrangements with airlines, operational readiness and the required regulatory approvals.
Dr. Thourn Sinan, Chairman of PATACC, said: “For us, destination marketing must go beyond bringing partners to Cambodia for a visit. It must lead to well-designed tourism products, competitive pricing and actual sales. Our partners can begin selling Cambodia through the connecting flights already available, while we continue working together to explore the possibility of charter services in the future.”
PATACC will next coordinate with Cambodian destination management companies (DMCs), hotels, transport providers and its Russian partners to finalise itineraries, pricing, Russian-language promotional materials and booking contacts. Follow-up activities will monitor enquiries, sales and confirmed bookings to assess the programme’s actual business outcomes.
The conclusion of CTM 2026 marks the beginning of a new phase: turning market access into lasting commercial relationships. PATACC will continue encouraging Cambodian tourism businesses to engage actively with international markets, ensuring that the “Cambodia to the World” campaign creates tangible opportunities for local businesses, tourism professionals and communities.
