Cambodia’s tourism story isn’t just about temples and beaches anymore. It’s about strategy, partnerships, and smart development. And now, that story is entering a new chapter.
The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) has officially reaffirmed its commitment to provide technical support to Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism (MoT), signaling a deeper, more strategic collaboration aimed at transforming the country’s tourism sector into a stronger engine of economic growth.
But what does that really mean for Cambodia? And why should investors, policymakers, and travelers pay attention?
Let’s unpack it.
ERIA And Cambodia: A 14-Year Strategic Partnership
Partnerships aren’t built overnight. They’re built brick by brick.
Cambodia and ERIA began their cooperation in 2012. By 2026, that relationship will mark 14 years of collaboration—a milestone that speaks volumes about trust, continuity, and shared vision.
During a recent meeting in Phnom Penh, Professor Tetsuya Watanabe, President of ERIA, met with H.E. Huot Hak, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, to discuss both ongoing and future cooperation in tourism development.
And this wasn’t a ceremonial handshake.
It was a working session focused on practical outcomes—how to elevate Cambodia’s tourism competitiveness, strengthen policy frameworks, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Minister Huot Hak emphasized that the long-standing partnership with ERIA has already laid a solid foundation. Over the years, technical assistance, research input, and policy guidance have helped shape tourism strategies and sector planning.
Now, the focus shifts from maintaining progress to accelerating it.
Why Technical Support Matters In Tourism Development
You might wonder—why does tourism need technical support?
Isn’t tourism just about attracting visitors?
Not quite.
Modern tourism is complex. It’s about infrastructure planning, digital transformation, destination branding, sustainability frameworks, workforce training, and investment coordination. Without strategic planning, rapid growth can strain resources and damage long-term potential.
Think of tourism like building a skyscraper. You don’t just decorate the lobby and hope for the best. You need architects, engineers, and structural experts.
ERIA plays that technical architect role.
By offering feasibility studies, policy research, and development models, ERIA helps Cambodia ensure that tourism expansion is smart, sustainable, and competitive within ASEAN and the broader East Asia region.
Peace And Political Stability: The Backbone Of Tourism Growth
Professor Watanabe highlighted something fundamental during the meeting: peace and political stability.
Let’s be honest. Tourists don’t book flights to uncertainty.
Cambodia’s sustained stability under the Royal Government has created the kind of environment investors and travelers look for—predictability, safety, and long-term confidence.
Stability is the silent infrastructure of tourism. You can’t see it, but everything rests on it.
When governance is steady, airports expand. Roads improve. Hotels invest. Airlines open routes. International conferences return.
ERIA recognizes that Cambodia’s political and social stability provides fertile ground for tourism expansion.
And that foundation is priceless.
Cambodia’s Untapped Tourism Potential
Cambodia is often associated with Angkor Wat—and rightly so. But reducing the country’s tourism potential to one iconic site would be like judging a library by its cover.
Cambodia offers:
- Cultural heritage destinations
- Ecotourism landscapes
- Coastal tourism in the south
- Emerging urban tourism experiences
- Culinary and experiential travel opportunities
Add to that its strategic geographical location in Southeast Asia, positioned between major ASEAN tourism markets, and you have a powerful regional hub in the making.
Professor Watanabe underscored this advantage during the discussions. Cambodia’s location allows it to tap into multi-destination travel circuits, cross-border tourism flows, and regional connectivity networks.
In simple terms? Cambodia is sitting at a crossroads of opportunity.
The key is planning how to capitalize on it.
Sustainable Tourism Development: The Next Frontier
Tourism growth without sustainability is like sprinting without checking your direction.
Yes, visitor numbers matter. But so do environmental preservation, community engagement, and long-term value creation.
ERIA’s readiness to conduct a feasibility study in response to the Ministry’s request is particularly significant. A feasibility study isn’t just paperwork—it’s a blueprint.
It examines:
- Infrastructure readiness
- Investment viability
- Environmental impact
- Economic sustainability
- Community benefits
This kind of structured approach ensures tourism development doesn’t become reactive. Instead, it becomes strategic.
And in today’s competitive global tourism landscape, strategy wins.
Strengthening Cambodia’s Tourism Competitiveness In ASEAN
Let’s zoom out.
Cambodia doesn’t operate in isolation. It competes—and collaborates—within ASEAN, one of the world’s most dynamic tourism regions.
Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia continue to invest heavily in tourism infrastructure and marketing. For Cambodia to stand out, it must refine its value proposition.
That’s where ERIA’s regional expertise becomes powerful.
As a leading policy research institute focused on ASEAN and East Asia, ERIA understands regional economic integration, connectivity frameworks, and cross-border development models.
By aligning Cambodia’s tourism strategy with broader ASEAN integration plans, the country can:
- Improve cross-border travel facilitation
- Attract multi-country tour packages
- Leverage regional aviation networks
- Strengthen tourism-related SME participation
In other words, Cambodia doesn’t just compete. It connects.
Technical Assistance As A Growth Multiplier
Minister Huot Hak expressed deep appreciation for ERIA’s continued technical assistance. And rightly so.
Technical expertise acts as a growth multiplier.
It helps:
- Improve tourism policy formulation
- Strengthen data-driven decision-making
- Enhance destination management
- Support digital tourism transformation
- Align tourism with national economic strategies
When policy is informed by research, outcomes improve. It’s that simple.
Imagine trying to navigate without a map. You might reach your destination—but you’ll waste time, energy, and resources.
ERIA helps draw the map.
Tourism As A Pillar Of National Economic Growth
Tourism isn’t just about travel. It’s about jobs, foreign exchange earnings, small business development, and rural economic participation.
Every tourist arrival sets off a ripple effect—hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, artisans, tour guides, and farmers all benefit.
Cambodia’s tourism sector contributes significantly to GDP and employment. Expanding it strategically could:
- Boost foreign direct investment
- Increase export earnings through service exports
- Create inclusive economic growth in rural areas
- Strengthen Cambodia’s global brand
The discussions between ERIA and the Ministry were described as constructive and forward-looking.
That phrase matters.
Forward-looking means thinking five, ten, even twenty years ahead.
And that’s exactly how tourism planning should work.
The Road Ahead: From Dialogue To Action
So what happens next?
Both sides agreed to continue expanding cooperation. ERIA has expressed readiness to conduct a feasibility study to support further tourism development initiatives requested by the Ministry.
That’s not just symbolic support—it’s operational backing.
Feasibility studies often pave the way for:
- Infrastructure upgrades
- New tourism zones
- Policy reforms
- Investment promotion campaigns
- Capacity-building programs
This is how momentum builds.
Step by step. Study by study. Policy by policy.
A Strategic Moment For Cambodia’s Tourism Future
Cambodia stands at a pivotal moment.
Global tourism is rebounding. Regional connectivity is expanding. Travelers are seeking authentic, sustainable experiences.
Cambodia has the cultural richness, natural beauty, geographic advantage, and political stability to thrive in this environment.
Now, with ERIA reaffirming its technical support, the country gains something equally valuable: strategic guidance.
Tourism isn’t a race to attract the most visitors. It’s a marathon to build long-term value.
And with careful planning, regional cooperation, and research-driven policy, Cambodia can position itself not just as a destination—but as a regional tourism leader.
The foundation is already in place.
The blueprint is being drawn.
The next chapter of Cambodia’s tourism development story is beginning—and it’s backed by expertise, partnership, and vision.
FAQ
The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) provides technical support, research expertise, and policy guidance to help Cambodia strengthen its tourism sector and ensure sustainable long-term growth.
ERIA and Cambodia have maintained a partnership since 2012. The collaboration focuses on enhancing tourism policy, improving competitiveness within ASEAN, and promoting sustainable tourism development aligned with regional integration goals.
The meeting focused on ongoing and future cooperation, expanding technical assistance, and conducting feasibility studies to support strategic tourism development initiatives in Cambodia.
Peace and political stability create investor confidence, ensure traveler safety, and enable long-term infrastructure planning—key factors that drive tourism expansion and sustainable economic growth.
A tourism feasibility study evaluates the economic, environmental, and operational viability of proposed tourism projects. It helps policymakers make informed decisions about infrastructure, investment, and destination management.
Tourism is a key contributor to Cambodia’s GDP, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. It supports businesses across hospitality, transportation, agriculture, and local communities.
Regional cooperation within ASEAN strengthens cross-border travel, improves connectivity, enhances multi-destination tourism packages, and boosts Cambodia’s competitiveness in the Southeast Asian tourism market.
The partnership aims to modernize Cambodia’s tourism sector, improve policy frameworks, attract sustainable investment, enhance digital transformation, and position the country as a competitive tourism hub in the region.