Phnom Penh: Cambodia is proactively positioning itself as a leading destination for Muslim tourists, capitalizing on the global resurgence in travel following the COVID-19 pandemic. The nation has embarked on an ambitious five-year Muslim tourism development plan, spanning from 2023 to 2027. This strategic roadmap aims to transform Cambodia into an increasingly appealing and hospitable haven for Muslim travelers.
Reinforcing these efforts, the Ministry of Tourism recently hosted its third annual Cambodia Muslim Tourism Forum and Expo from October 9th to 11th. This significant event served as a platform to welcome Muslim visitors and to showcase Cambodia’s rich and diverse tourism potential, which is being meticulously aligned with Muslim-friendly standards. According to Mr. Mohammat Younes, Undersecretary of State for the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia has witnessed a remarkable surge in Muslim tourist arrivals in the post-pandemic era. The numbers have grown substantially, from over 180,000 visitors in 2022 to approximately 350,000 in 2023, with projections indicating a further rise to around 440,000 in 2024.
To further support this growth and ensure a consistent experience, the Ministry of Tourism has launched the ‘Cambodia Muslim Friendly’ guidebook. Mr. Hout Hak, Minister of Tourism, highlighted the guidebook’s importance, affirming it will serve as a crucial resource in driving the increase of Muslim tourists to Cambodia.
During the guidebook’s launch on October 9th, Minister Hout Hak elaborated that the publication underscores Cambodia’s comprehensive readiness in preparing tourism destinations and businesses to extend warm hospitality to Muslim visitors, in line with the 2023-2027 development plan. Mr. Kater Mohammat Nosri further clarified that this guidebook will be distributed to tourism businesses across Cambodia, empowering operators to align their services with the principles of the Cambodia Muslim Friendly Standard (CMFS).
The Cambodia Muslim Friendly Standard (CMFS) is a meticulously crafted framework designed to ensure that tourism products and services catering to Muslim travelers adhere to Islamic law and their specific requirements. Mr. Mohammat Younes emphasized that Muslim tourists, like any other travelers, explore various destinations, but their travel activities must respect their religious beliefs. Their journeys are intrinsically linked to their Islamic practices. He detailed the fundamental needs that businesses must address: regular access to Halal food, dedicated facilities for the five daily prayers, and bathrooms equipped with water for ritual ablution before prayer and for personal hygiene after using facilities. Seasonally, during the 30-day Ramadan fast, Muslim tourists require two meals daily: one before sunrise (suhoor) and another after sunset (iftar).
Currently, the Ministry of Tourism is implementing a certification program, awarding ‘Cambodia Muslim Friendly Standard’ symbols to local businesses. This certification is granted in three distinct levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—based on a rigorous evaluation against essential criteria set by the Ministry. To achieve Bronze status, businesses must meet 45 points, while 65 points are required for Silver, and 80 points for Gold. Mr. Mohammat Younes explained that businesses can apply for this standard symbol from the Ministry, after which evaluators will conduct on-site inspections and assessments. Each certification is valid for a period of two years.
Mr. Mohammat Younes also added that CMFS will significantly enhance Cambodia’s capacity to compete for a share of the burgeoning regional Muslim market. Muslim tourism is a rapidly expanding global market segment, frequently discussed on international platforms, with research institutions estimating its value to reach hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming years. Mr. Kater Mohammat Nosri stressed the immense potential, stating, ‘There are two billion Muslims worldwide. This represents a huge market, with over 140 million traveling globally.’
In an interview with the press, Mr. Kater Mohammat Nosri affirmed Cambodia’s full readiness to welcome Muslim tourists. He highlighted that attracting the Muslim tourism market is a key priority for the Ministry of Tourism. Concurrently, he urged all tourism businesses to align their operations with Muslim-friendly standards to effectively capture a share of this vast and promising market.
