PHNOM PENH – Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism has initiated a significant national campaign, dubbed the “Solidarity Season,” aimed at invigorating domestic tourism and bolstering the national economy. This strategic move comes amidst what the Ministry describes as substantial challenges posed by the actions of the Thai military, which it claims have impacted the nation for the past sixteen days.
Despite these reported pressures, the Cambodian tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength. The “Solidarity Season” campaign is designed to transform these challenges into a pivotal opportunity for strengthening the national economy at the local level. It operates under the powerful slogan, “Khmer Together, Khmer Strong, Khmer Wins!”
The campaign is firmly rooted in the spirit of “Khmer Helping Khmer,” encouraging Cambodian citizens to support local businesses and the national economy through domestic travel. By doing so, the Ministry anticipates not only a surge in local tourism but also a profound strengthening of national solidarity and the economic fortitude of Cambodia during a period of external pressure.
On December 21, during a visit to Cambodian war refugees in Kampong Thom province, Mr. Huot Hak, the Minister of Tourism, highlighted some of the adverse effects on Cambodia’s tourism landscape. He noted that the aggressive actions reported from the Thai military have not only disrupted travel between the two neighboring countries but have also impacted the travel plans of international tourists from third countries intending to visit Cambodia.
However, Minister Huot Hak expressed unwavering confidence in the sector’s ability to withstand these difficulties. He affirmed, “Even in this challenging period, Cambodia’s tourism sector continues to exhibit resilience to crises, driven by the spirit of solidarity between the government and the private sector, embodying the principle of ‘thinking together, acting together, and taking responsibility together.’”
In line with this, the Minister appealed to all Cambodian citizens to actively engage in domestic tourism. This collective effort, he emphasized, would not only support the local economy but also convey a clear message to the international community: all tourist destinations within Cambodia remain safe, peaceful, and welcoming for visitors from across the globe.
To facilitate this, the Ministry of Tourism has forged collaborations with leading tourism associations, hotels, and travel agencies. Together, they are developing special tour packages and offering various discounts to make domestic travel more accessible and affordable for citizens. This initiative is crucial for sustaining tourism businesses and enabling them to continue operations even under difficult circumstances. Minister Huot Hak underscored that “every expenditure within the domestic tourism sector directly contributes to supporting the national economy and effectively reduces the outflow of currency abroad.”
Statistics from the Angkor Enterprise further illustrate the sector’s performance. In the first eleven months of the year (January-November), Cambodia generated over $40 million from the sale of Angkor Wat passes to approximately 860,000 international tourists. While this represents a robust contribution, the revenue saw a decrease of 3.41 percent, and international tourist arrivals dropped by 3.47 percent, compared to the same period in the previous year.
