Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Cambodian government has set an ambitious goal to revolutionize the tourism sector at the Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex and its surrounding areas, aiming to transform it into a destination that truly captivates visitors. This strategic initiative seeks to establish the area as a place where tourists will desire to ‘stop and stay by heart,’ moving beyond its previous perception as merely a transit point.
Currently, the government is diligently crafting a draft of key measures designed to guide the development of tourism in Sambor Prei Kuk and its environs over a crucial five-year period, spanning from 2026 to 2030.
In line with this vision, Mr. Thong Khon, who chairs the influential Siem Reap-Angkor Tourism Management and Development Committee, recently presided over an inter-ministerial consultative meeting. Held in Kampong Thom province on February 19th, this vital session focused on deliberating the draft of the ‘Key Measures for Tourism Development of Sambor Prei Kuk Temple and Surrounding Areas 2026-2030.’ The Kampong Thom Provincial Administration’s press release underscored that these forthcoming measures are specifically crafted to elevate Sambor Prei Kuk and its surrounding regions, ensuring they evolve into an irresistible destination that encourages prolonged visits.
Mr. Thong Khon articulated the profound significance of this undertaking, stating, “The development of tourism in Sambor Prei Kuk temple and its surrounding areas is envisioned to establish it as a model tourist zone and a prominent destination within Kampong Thom province. This will attract visitors before they proceed to neighboring provinces, and crucially, serve as an exemplary model for local development driven by tourism, thereby enhancing the local economy.” He further emphasized that this strategic development is poised to substantially improve the livelihoods of local communities while simultaneously contributing to the vital conservation of Cambodia’s rich cultural resources and heritage through sustainable tourism practices.
However, Mr. Thong Khon also highlighted a critical prerequisite for success: the active participation and collaborative efforts of all involved stakeholders. This includes entities at national and sub-national levels, the private sector, and local communities. The former Minister of Tourism, in his current capacity, possesses a clear understanding of Kampong Thom province’s diverse tourism potential. He noted that the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sambor Prei Kuk has historically been viewed by many tourists merely as a convenient stopover between the capital city of Phnom Penh and the renowned Siem Reap province.
To effectively realize Kampong Thom province’s comprehensive development goals for 2026-2030, Mr. Thong Khon has outlined six core strategic objectives within the draft key measures. These strategies are primarily centered on enhancing tourism products and prioritizing destinations within the Sambor Prei Kuk region. Key areas of focus include intensified promotional efforts to attract more tourists, comprehensive training programs for tourism and hospitality skills, strengthening the overall quality and ensuring the sustainability of tourism development, and robust infrastructure development coupled with improved connectivity to bolster the tourism sector. Furthermore, a streamlined implementation mechanism, based on an agile ‘single entity system’ approach, will be established.
Additionally, during the consultative meeting, involved parties reached a consensus on several other pivotal directives for developing this critical tourism destination. These include reinforcing infrastructure connectivity, establishing a strong brand identity and executing effective marketing campaigns, elevating service quality and human resource capabilities, and solidifying institutional mechanisms for robust governance.
Reflecting the government’s overarching vision for 2026-2030, Kampong Thom is targeted to transcend its status as a simple transit area for tourism, investment, commerce, and development projects. The ambitious plan also aims to ensure that Kampong Thom is no longer classified among the nation’s poorest provinces. Within this five-year framework, the government has designated the Sambor Prei Kuk temple area, Prei Pros area, Steung Saen city, and Phnom Santuk as primary tourism poles, central to boosting the province’s tourism sector.
According to recent data, Kampong Thom province welcomed a total of 828,245 tourists in 2025. This figure included 806,069 national tourists, marking a significant increase of 24.25 percent, and 22,176 international tourists, which also represented a substantial rise of 24.47 percent. The province boasts a wealth of other potential tourist attractions, including Kuk Nokor temple, Phnom Santuk resort, Steung Chinit resort, Boeung Samrith resort, Thnuos Ta Prom, Steung Prei Pros, the Rasmei Phum Pir Kiri Boeng Krangnyak Ecotourism Community, Phat Sanday Ecotourism Area, the Sampov Trailok Trailak Religious Cultural Tourism Center, and Wat Indriy Samvor.
