PHNOM PENH: In a historic meeting on February 5, 2026, H.E. Huot Hak, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, and H.E. Milena Caridad Zalddivar Piedra, Cuban Ambassador to Cambodia, pledged to deepen bilateral tourism cooperation. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the 66-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations, which dates back to 1960.
A Three-Pillar Strategy for Partnership Revitalisation
To modernize the long-standing friendship, Ambassador Zalddivar Piedra proposed a strategic three-pillar roadmap during the talks:
- Professional & Media Exchange: Organising mutual exchange visits for travel professionals and media to market the unique cultural and natural destinations of both nations.
- Formalizing Cooperation (MoU): Drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed between the respective tourism ministries at the upcoming Cuba International Tourism Fair.
- Private-Sector Synergy: Facilitating high-level meetings between Cuban tourism delegations and Cambodian tourism associations to foster direct business-to-business (B2B) partnerships.
Minister Huot Hak expressed full support for these pillars, noting that tourism remains a “backbone” of Cambodia’s socio-economic development under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet.
“Green Gold” and the Win-Win Policy
Minister Huot Hak highlighted that Cambodia’s ability to market itself as “Green Gold” is a direct result of the stability provided by the Win-Win Policy established by Samdech Techo Hun Sen. This peace has paved the way for Cambodia to diversify its international arrivals, with Cuba now being a key partner in the Caribbean and Latin American regions.
For foreign investors and travel agencies, this agreement signals a opening of niche markets, potentially linking Southeast Asian cultural circuits with Cuban heritage tourism.
FAQ: Cambodia-Cuba Tourism Cooperation
2026 marks the 66th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Both nations are currently seeking to diversify their tourism markets to recover and exceed pre-pandemic arrival numbers.
It is a political strategy initiated by Samdech Techo Hun Sen that ended decades of civil war in Cambodia, creating the stable environment necessary for the country’s current economic and tourism growth.
The MoU is scheduled to be signed during the Cuba International Tourism Fair later in 2026.