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• Catalysing Cambodia’s new tourism future

The pandemic has brought Cambodia’s tourism players together and highlighted the value of a single voice via the Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF), allowing them to work better with the authorities towards travel and tourism recovery as well future developments, reveals Luu Meng, CTF president, master chef and Almond Group CEO.

Tourism is a key economic driver for Cambodia but Covid has devastated tourism. How are CTF members affected? Last year, we saw more than 50 per cent of businesses disappear when the pandemic started, as all international arrivals stopped in April. But Phnom Penh, the coast, Kampot and Siem Reap were able to do some business as locals could travel domestically. That continued into January and February.

Then the February 20 Community Event happened (when Covid spread across the country) and most domestic tourism disappeared (due to ongoing restrictions). When you break that down, almost every tour agent had nothing to do. Some have closed for good, some have been spending their savings and extending loans. Those unable to get more loans have been unable to continue.

For hotels, apart from quality hotels, there is almost nothing happening as well, although Kep and Kampot still have a bit of business. Official reports have also shown the restaurant sector has decreased by more than 30 per cent. The restaurant business was already competitive before Covid so it became even more difficult.

Did Covid present any positive opportunities for your members? Before Covid, Cambodia was always linked to our neighbouring countries. Travellers would visit those countries, and then stay a few nights in Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat only.

The pandemic has given Cambodia the best opportunity to become a destination on its own. We have the beaches, culture, countryside, incredible cuisine, and the charm and hospitality of our locals. Cambodia is full of experiences, and has more than enough to provide travellers who are keen to stay longer.

The private sector is working closely with the government to newly brand and market Cambodia (as a mono destination) and encourage tourists to spent 10 days or two weeks here (as opposed to being a destination in a multi-destination itinerary).

How has the pandemic impacted the strength of CTF’s voice? Before the pandemic, every association worked on their own and each had difficulty getting members to join. This was because traditionally, many people in the hospitality and tourism industry in Cambodia operate solo and don’t believe in belonging to a group. They didn’t understand the concept of belonging to an association which offered one unified voice, and that their issues and concerns will be represented and taken to the top level.

With the pandemic, people started to realise they needed help from the government and be able to raise issues with them. This is when we realised more people are interested in joining. Rather than Cambodian operators being very independent as they were previously, they are now more united.

What support have you provided members since the start of the pandemic? We usually have at least one meeting a month, which has so far been held online. We have also invited people from different ministries to attend so we can all stay engaged. We have a Telegram group to make sure everyone stays informed and to give members a place to raise any issues and concerns.

Advocacy has been the main element and it works both ways. If you provide the right channel to raise concerns, it’s also much easier for the government to work with the private sector. Collectively, we have been able to come up with suggestions and options for the government, as choosing between health and safety or the economy is a huge challenge.

The pandemic has brought up many issues within the sector. We have issues spanning compliance, human resource and labour, social and business and marketing. This means we have to work with many different ministries. In good times, there was no chance to take a look at these things but during the last 18 months, we have been working with the government to develop a strategy to have an idea where the tourism and hospitality in Cambodia is going to be in the next five, 10, and 20 years.

Cambodia has excelled in the roll-out of the vaccination programme compared to other countries in South-east Asia. What role does this play in reopening to tourists? Our CTF members and partners recognise and appreciate our prime minister has done a very good job since the government decided to start vaccinations.

In South-east Asia, Cambodia is second in terms of the percentage of vaccinations given – after Singapore – and we are comparing two countries with populations of six million versus 16 million. More than 90 per cent of adults in Phnom Penh are vaccinated, and this is not something that many cities in the world have yet achieved, so this is a great step for us.

We have been in discussions with the Ministry of Tourism about allowing vaccinated travellers in with minimal or no quarantine. We hope that will become a reality, and on our end, we hope to complete the country’s vaccinations by 4Q2021 so vaccinated tourists can also safely visit.

Cambodia’s tourism industry has lost a lot of skilled people. What needs to be done to build back the sector’s manpower resources? We need to start preparing now. The Ministry of Tourism is currently unable to conduct any in-person training because of Covid restrictions, but has been holding online programmes on certain issues to retrain the people.

We are also requesting that the government creates a fund as soon as possible that will go towards retraining and refreshing the skills of previous tourism employees who have left the sector. Most of them wanted to remain in the hospitality sector, but have been away for more than a year now working in the agriculture and construction sectors as there is still work to be found there.

What has Cambodia capitalised on this downtime and what differences can visitors expect when they return? The 38 Roads project has started in Siem Reap. The project comprises huge infrastructure improvements that are being carried out while no tourists are there. There is also a lot of effort being put into developing eco-tourism and new experiences related to that.

Meanwhile, the capital is changing quickly in a positive way, the coastline is developing and we have new airports planned. But the charm of the people has not changed, and that’s what makes Cambodia so attractive; it’s in our DNA.

Source: https://www.ttgasia.com/2021/07/15/catalysing-cambodias-new-tourism-future/

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Catalysing Cambodia’s new tourism future

The pandemic has brought Cambodia's tourism players together and highlighted the value of a single voice via the Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF), allowing them to work better with the authorities towards travel and tourism recovery as well future developments, reveals Luu Meng, CTF president, master chef and Almond Group CEO.

Tourism is a key economic driver for Cambodia but Covid has devastated tourism. How are CTF members affected? Last year, we saw more than 50 per cent of businesses disappear when the pandemic started, as all international arrivals stopped in April. But Phnom Penh, the coast, Kampot and Siem Reap were able to do some business as locals could travel domestically. That continued into January and February.

Then the February 20 Community Event happened (when Covid spread across the country) and most domestic tourism disappeared (due to ongoing restrictions). When you break that down, almost every tour agent had nothing to do. Some have closed for good, some have been spending their savings and extending loans. Those unable to get more loans have been unable to continue.

For hotels, apart from quality hotels, there is almost nothing happening as well, although Kep and Kampot still have a bit of business. Official reports have also shown the restaurant sector has decreased by more than 30 per cent. The restaurant business was already competitive before Covid so it became even more difficult.

Did Covid present any positive opportunities for your members? Before Covid, Cambodia was always linked to our neighbouring countries. Travellers would visit those countries, and then stay a few nights in Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat only.

The pandemic has given Cambodia the best opportunity to become a destination on its own. We have the beaches, culture, countryside, incredible cuisine, and the charm and hospitality of our locals. Cambodia is full of experiences, and has more than enough to provide travellers who are keen to stay longer.

The private sector is working closely with the government to newly brand and market Cambodia (as a mono destination) and encourage tourists to spent 10 days or two weeks here (as opposed to being a destination in a multi-destination itinerary).

How has the pandemic impacted the strength of CTF’s voice? Before the pandemic, every association worked on their own and each had difficulty getting members to join. This was because traditionally, many people in the hospitality and tourism industry in Cambodia operate solo and don’t believe in belonging to a group. They didn’t understand the concept of belonging to an association which offered one unified voice, and that their issues and concerns will be represented and taken to the top level.

With the pandemic, people started to realise they needed help from the government and be able to raise issues with them. This is when we realised more people are interested in joining. Rather than Cambodian operators being very independent as they were previously, they are now more united.

What support have you provided members since the start of the pandemic? We usually have at least one meeting a month, which has so far been held online. We have also invited people from different ministries to attend so we can all stay engaged. We have a Telegram group to make sure everyone stays informed and to give members a place to raise any issues and concerns.

Advocacy has been the main element and it works both ways. If you provide the right channel to raise concerns, it’s also much easier for the government to work with the private sector. Collectively, we have been able to come up with suggestions and options for the government, as choosing between health and safety or the economy is a huge challenge.

The pandemic has brought up many issues within the sector. We have issues spanning compliance, human resource and labour, social and business and marketing. This means we have to work with many different ministries. In good times, there was no chance to take a look at these things but during the last 18 months, we have been working with the government to develop a strategy to have an idea where the tourism and hospitality in Cambodia is going to be in the next five, 10, and 20 years.

Cambodia has excelled in the roll-out of the vaccination programme compared to other countries in South-east Asia. What role does this play in reopening to tourists? Our CTF members and partners recognise and appreciate our prime minister has done a very good job since the government decided to start vaccinations.

In South-east Asia, Cambodia is second in terms of the percentage of vaccinations given – after Singapore – and we are comparing two countries with populations of six million versus 16 million. More than 90 per cent of adults in Phnom Penh are vaccinated, and this is not something that many cities in the world have yet achieved, so this is a great step for us.

We have been in discussions with the Ministry of Tourism about allowing vaccinated travellers in with minimal or no quarantine. We hope that will become a reality, and on our end, we hope to complete the country’s vaccinations by 4Q2021 so vaccinated tourists can also safely visit.

Cambodia’s tourism industry has lost a lot of skilled people. What needs to be done to build back the sector’s manpower resources? We need to start preparing now. The Ministry of Tourism is currently unable to conduct any in-person training because of Covid restrictions, but has been holding online programmes on certain issues to retrain the people.

We are also requesting that the government creates a fund as soon as possible that will go towards retraining and refreshing the skills of previous tourism employees who have left the sector. Most of them wanted to remain in the hospitality sector, but have been away for more than a year now working in the agriculture and construction sectors as there is still work to be found there.

What has Cambodia capitalised on this downtime and what differences can visitors expect when they return? The 38 Roads project has started in Siem Reap. The project comprises huge infrastructure improvements that are being carried out while no tourists are there. There is also a lot of effort being put into developing eco-tourism and new experiences related to that.

Meanwhile, the capital is changing quickly in a positive way, the coastline is developing and we have new airports planned. But the charm of the people has not changed, and that’s what makes Cambodia so attractive; it’s in our DNA.

This feature was first published on www.ttgassociations.com.

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Cambodia Tourism Federation

Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh

The Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF) is the peak industry body representing Cambodia’s $4 billion tourism export sector. As an organisation, our views are informed by the broadest cross-section of the Cambodian tourism industry. CTF represents the collective interest of its members in strengthening the tourism industry of Cambodia working with both private and public sectors.

CTF was established to bring the tourism private sector together to address key issues and challenges facing the sector. Our services include B2B opportunities, industry advocacy and development, education, training and business capacity building, and local and national networking events and conferences. Our members include accommodation providers, airlines, transport associations, food and beverage outlets and hospitality workers such as chefs.

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Catalysing cambodia’s new tourism future.

• 19 Jul 2021

The pandemic has brought Cambodia’s tourism players together and highlighted the value of a single voice via the Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF), allowing them to work better with the authorities towards travel and tourism recovery as well future developments, reveals Luu Meng, CTF president, master chef and Almond Group CEO.

Tourism is a key economic driver for Cambodia but Covid has devastated tourism. How are CTF members affected? Last year, we saw more than 50 per cent of businesses disappear when the pandemic started, as all international arrivals stopped in April. But Phnom Penh, the coast, Kampot and Siem Reap were able to do some business as locals could travel domestically. That continued into January and February.

Then the February 20 Community Event happened (when Covid spread across the country) and most domestic tourism disappeared (due to ongoing restrictions). When you break that down, almost every tour agent had nothing to do. Some have closed for good, some have been spending their savings and extending loans. Those unable to get more loans have been unable to continue.

For hotels, apart from quality hotels, there is almost nothing happening as well, although Kep and Kampot still have a bit of business. Official reports have also shown the restaurant sector has decreased by more than 30 per cent. The restaurant business was already competitive before Covid so it became even more difficult.

Did Covid present any positive opportunities for your members? Before Covid, Cambodia was always linked to our neighbouring countries. Travellers would visit those countries, and then stay a few nights in Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat only.

The pandemic has given Cambodia the best opportunity to become a destination on its own. We have the beaches, culture, countryside, incredible cuisine, and the charm and hospitality of our locals. Cambodia is full of experiences, and has more than enough to provide travellers who are keen to stay longer.

The private sector is working closely with the government to newly brand and market Cambodia (as a mono destination) and encourage tourists to spent 10 days or two weeks here (as opposed to being a destination in a multi-destination itinerary).

How has the pandemic impacted the strength of CTF’s voice? Before the pandemic, every association worked on their own and each had difficulty getting members to join. This was because traditionally, many people in the hospitality and tourism industry in Cambodia operate solo and don’t believe in belonging to a group. They didn’t understand the concept of belonging to an association which offered one unified voice, and that their issues and concerns will be represented and taken to the top level.

With the pandemic, people started to realise they needed help from the government and be able to raise issues with them. This is when we realised more people are interested in joining. Rather than Cambodian operators being very independent as they were previously, they are now more united.

What support have you provided members since the start of the pandemic? We usually have at least one meeting a month, which has so far been held online. We have also invited people from different ministries to attend so we can all stay engaged. We have a Telegram group to make sure everyone stays informed and to give members a place to raise any issues and concerns.

Advocacy has been the main element and it works both ways. If you provide the right channel to raise concerns, it’s also much easier for the government to work with the private sector. Collectively, we have been able to come up with suggestions and options for the government, as choosing between health and safety or the economy is a huge challenge.

The pandemic has brought up many issues within the sector. We have issues spanning compliance, human resource and labour, social and business and marketing. This means we have to work with many different ministries. In good times, there was no chance to take a look at these things but during the last 18 months, we have been working with the government to develop a strategy to have an idea where the tourism and hospitality in Cambodia is going to be in the next five, 10, and 20 years.

Cambodia has excelled in the roll-out of the vaccination programme compared to other countries in South-east Asia. What role does this play in reopening to tourists? Our CTF members and partners recognise and appreciate our prime minister has done a very good job since the government decided to start vaccinations.

In South-east Asia, Cambodia is second in terms of the percentage of vaccinations given – after Singapore – and we are comparing two countries with populations of six million versus 16 million. More than 90 per cent of adults in Phnom Penh are vaccinated, and this is not something that many cities in the world have yet achieved, so this is a great step for us.

We have been in discussions with the Ministry of Tourism about allowing vaccinated travellers in with minimal or no quarantine. We hope that will become a reality, and on our end, we hope to complete the country’s vaccinations by 4Q2021 so vaccinated tourists can also safely visit.

Cambodia’s tourism industry has lost a lot of skilled people. What needs to be done to build back the sector’s manpower resources? We need to start preparing now. The Ministry of Tourism is currently unable to conduct any in-person training because of Covid restrictions, but has been holding online programmes on certain issues to retrain the people.

We are also requesting that the government creates a fund as soon as possible that will go towards retraining and refreshing the skills of previous tourism employees who have left the sector. Most of them wanted to remain in the hospitality sector, but have been away for more than a year now working in the agriculture and construction sectors as there is still work to be found there.

What has Cambodia capitalised on this downtime and what differences can visitors expect when they return? The 38 Roads project has started in Siem Reap. The project comprises huge infrastructure improvements that are being carried out while no tourists are there. There is also a lot of effort being put into developing eco-tourism and new experiences related to that.

Meanwhile, the capital is changing quickly in a positive way, the coastline is developing and we have new airports planned. But the charm of the people has not changed, and that’s what makes Cambodia so attractive; it’s in our DNA.

Source: https://www.ttgasia.com/2021/07/15/catalysing-cambodias-new-tourism-future/

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STR, CTF partner to advance Cambodia hotel performance

SINGAPORE— STR , the leader in data benchmarking and analytics for the global hospitality industry, has partnered with the Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF), a non-profit association that represents the country’s private sector tourism community, to provide tools for hotel benchmarking and performance advancement.

“I’m thrilled for the opportunity for STR and CTF to work together to bring hotel benchmarking to Cambodia,” said Bernard Kee, STR’s regional manager for Southeast Asia. “It is important to reinforce the value of the Cambodian hospitality economy, and through this collaboration, we will be able to do just that. Through our joint efforts, we will fully enable the benefits of a comprehensive and reliable data source for all hoteliers in Cambodia.”

“The Cambodia Tourism Federation and the Cambodia Hotel Association are thrilled and eager to partner with STR on what the industry considers to be a significant game changer in the industry’s competitiveness,” said Sharee Bauld, CTF’s executive director. “With today’s increasing competitiveness, not only in the region but worldwide, to attract the right markets at the right price point, it is important for the accommodation sector to be armed with the latest intel to best strategize and plan for the future. Understanding how well each hotel is performing against its competitors is also critical to the bottom line, and our partnership with STR will help hoteliers to understand not only their own performance, but also how well they are performing against others”.

STR maintains the world’s largest hotel performance data sample, which comprises more than 64,000 hotels and nearly 8.7 million hotel rooms around the world.

A note to editors: All references to STR data and analysis should cite “STR” as the source. Please refrain from citing “STR, Inc.” “Smith Travel Research” or “STR Global” in sourcing.

About STR STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for global hospitality sectors. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 15 countries with a corporate North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, an international headquarters in London, and an Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. For more information, please visit str.com .

About Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF)

The CTF is a platform to promote the tourism industry of Cambodia, represent the collective interests of the Members in relations and interactions with the Royal Government of Cambodia, in particular through the Government-Private Sector Forum, Private Sector, Working Groups, and other similar forums. It will host, arrange, sponsor and participate in trade fairs, conferences, exhibitions, cultural shows or promotions, or any other events consistent with the aims of promoting Cambodia as “the destination”.

The CTF includes associations and private companies that are active in the hospitality and tourism industry. The CTF will continue to encourage other associations and private companies to join in the initiative to provide a forum for Members to meet to exchange ideas and experience, seek and provide advice and consult with one another on matters of mutual interest.

Media Contacts: [email protected] [email protected]  

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Luu Meng: Catalysing Cambodia’s new tourism future

The pandemic has brought Cambodia's tourism players together and highlighted the value of a single voice via the Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF), allowing them to work better with the authorities towards travel and tourism recovery as well future developments, reveals the association president.

Tourism is a key economic driver for Cambodia but Covid has devastated tourism. How are CTF members affected? Last year, we saw more than 50 per cent of businesses disappear when the pandemic started, as all international arrivals stopped in April. But Phnom Penh, the coast, Kampot and Siem Reap were able to do some business as locals could travel domestically. That continued into January and February.

Then the February 20 Community Event happened (when Covid spread across the country) and most domestic tourism disappeared (due to ongoing restrictions). When you break that down, almost every tour agent had nothing to do. Some have closed for good, some have been spending their savings and extending loans. Those unable to get more loans have been unable to continue.

For hotels, apart from quality hotels, there is almost nothing happening as well, although Kep and Kampot still have a bit of business. Official reports have also shown the restaurant sector has decreased by more than 30 per cent. The restaurant business was already competitive before Covid so it became even more difficult.

Did Covid present any positive opportunities for your members? Before Covid, Cambodia was always linked to our neighbouring countries. Travellers would visit those countries, and then stay a few nights in Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat only.

The pandemic has given Cambodia the best opportunity to become a destination on its own. We have the beaches, culture, countryside, incredible cuisine, and the charm and hospitality of our locals. Cambodia is full of experiences, and has more than enough to provide travellers who are keen to stay longer.

The private sector is working closely with the government to newly brand and market Cambodia (as a mono destination) and encourage tourists to spent 10 days or two weeks here (as opposed to being a destination in a multi-destination itinerary).

How has the pandemic impacted the strength of CTF’s voice? Before the pandemic, every association worked on their own and each had difficulty getting members to join. This was because traditionally, many people in the hospitality and tourism industry in Cambodia operate solo and don’t believe in belonging to a group. They didn’t understand the concept of belonging to an association which offered one unified voice, and that their issues and concerns will be represented and taken to the top level.

With the pandemic, people started to realise they needed help from the government and be able to raise issues with them. This is when we realised more people are interested in joining. Rather than Cambodian operators being very independent as they were previously, they are now more united.

What support have you provided members since the start of the pandemic? We usually have at least one meeting a month, which has so far been held online. We have also invited people from different ministries to attend so we can all stay engaged. We have a Telegram group to make sure everyone stays informed and to give members a place to raise any issues and concerns.

Advocacy has been the main element and it works both ways. If you provide the right channel to raise concerns, it’s also much easier for the government to work with the private sector. Collectively, we have been able to come up with suggestions and options for the government, as choosing between health and safety or the economy is a huge challenge.

The pandemic has brought up many issues within the sector. We have issues spanning compliance, human resource and labour, social and business and marketing. This means we have to work with many different ministries. In good times, there was no chance to take a look at these things but during the last 18 months, we have been working with the government to develop a strategy to have an idea where the tourism and hospitality in Cambodia is going to be in the next five, 10, and 20 years.

Cambodia has excelled in the roll-out of the vaccination programme compared to other countries in South-east Asia. What role does this play in reopening to tourists? Our CTF members and partners recognise and appreciate our prime minister has done a very good job since the government decided to start vaccinations.

In South-east Asia, Cambodia is second in terms of the percentage of vaccinations given – after Singapore – and we are comparing two countries with populations of six million versus 16 million. More than 90 per cent of adults in Phnom Penh are vaccinated, and this is not something that many cities in the world have yet achieved, so this is a great step for us.

We have been in discussions with the Ministry of Tourism about allowing vaccinated travellers in with minimal or no quarantine. We hope that will become a reality, and on our end, we hope to complete the country’s vaccinations by 4Q2021 so vaccinated tourists can also safely visit.

Cambodia’s tourism industry has lost a lot of skilled people. What needs to be done to build back the sector’s manpower resources? We need to start preparing now. The Ministry of Tourism is currently unable to conduct any in-person training because of Covid restrictions, but has been holding online programmes on certain issues to retrain the people.

We are also requesting that the government creates a fund as soon as possible that will go towards retraining and refreshing the skills of previous tourism employees who have left the sector. Most of them wanted to remain in the hospitality sector, but have been away for more than a year now working in the agriculture and construction sectors as there is still work to be found there.

What has Cambodia capitalised on this downtime and what differences can visitors expect when they return? The 38 Roads project has started in Siem Reap. The project comprises huge infrastructure improvements that are being carried out while no tourists are there. There is also a lot of effort being put into developing eco-tourism and new experiences related to that.

Meanwhile, the capital is changing quickly in a positive way, the coastline is developing and we have new airports planned. But the charm of the people has not changed, and that’s what makes Cambodia so attractive; it’s in our DNA.

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Posted on 23 November 2023

The Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF) and WWF-Cambodia have reaffirmed their endorsement of an improved regulation, noting its specific implications for the tourism industry, in light of Clean Energy Week (Nov 16-Nov 23). The endorsement coincides with the Ministry of Tourism’s recent announcement that almost three times the number of international tourists visited the country in the first 8 months of 2023 compared to 2022 — suggesting that tourism numbers are finally rising to pre-pandemic levels. 

“ The tourism industry, a key contributor to Cambodia’s economic growth, suffered immensely during the pandemic. With news that the sector is recovering, there is a unique opportunity to transition towards green alternatives throughout the industry and its associated supply chains — ultimately  to promote long-term sustainability and to contribute towards the country’s climate resilience and sustainable development. The forthcoming regulation is expected to ease this transition by creating clear pathways towards adoption of solar energy across tourism facilities, which will reduce electricity costs, stabilize power supply and lower carbon emissions,” said Pheng Vanna, solar project manager at WWF Cambodia. 

Experts at CTF and WWF-Cambodia believe an improved regulation that will incentivize residents and key economic sectors to install rooftop solar systems by leveling the playing field through a technology-neutral tariff structure will be a key move, replacing the current limiting regulation. 

Solar systems, whether utility scale or small to medium scale rooftop systems, contribute to cheaper electricity rates and provide much needed power during hot summer months when hydropower production is at its lowest and solar at its highest. It also produces maximum power at daytime when demand is highest. Adoption of rooftop solar systems can further boost this clean energy supply through an improved regulation that provides certainty, clarity and a level playing field for investors in the technology.

Experts at CTF and WWF-Cambodia also highlight that the current regulation has limited the development of rooftop solar while focusing only on utility scale solar. Utility scale solar are large scale solar farms connected to the main power grid, while rooftop solar systems are mostly installed by consumers such as garment factories, other establishments and residential houses. It is estimated by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) that more than 3,000 MW, equal to 29.8% of potential sources of total domestic electricity supply, can be absorbed by the national power grid system in 2040. With more than 400 MW of utility-scale solar capacity currently installed, there is definitely space for both utility-scale and rooftop systems for Cambodia to fully reap the benefits of solar power.   

In their endorsement, CTF and WWF-Cambodia also pointed to the rise of ecotourism as another indication that the tourism sector should fully harness the regulation. In 2019, ecotourism shared 16 percent of the total tourist visit in Cambodia . The industry is also seeing a growing demand for sustainability in travel worldwide, with recent industry studies suggesting that 78% of tourists globally seek eco-friendly accommodation, including clean energy options. Not to mention, the demand for electricity has grown rapidly in the country, averaging 20% per year — further emphasizing the need to seek cheaper, more reliable and more sustainable sources of electricity generation. 

Sustainable energy consumption through rooftop solar systems will increase income for community-based ecotourism sites across the country, creating ripple effects in local sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. 

“The forthcoming regulation is a clear sign of Cambodia’s commitments towards carbon neutrality and serves as inspiration for the region to develop their own incentivizing mechanisms for clean energy. But the onus to move the regulation beyond paper rests on individuals across sectors. The tourism industry has the potential to promote leadership in this transition and every facility that participates — whether a mega resort or a small-scale community-led ecotourism homestay — will make a tangible difference in this effort,” said Mr. Somethearith Din, CTF President. 

CTF and WWF-Cambodia are partners in the Swiss-funded Building Back a Climate Friendly and Inclusive Tourism Sector in Cambodia , a three-year project with the goal to facilitate the sustainable energy transition of the Cambodian tourism sector through the adoption of solar and efficient cooling solutions in hotels, eco-resorts, and community-based ecotourism sites. From training courses in solar energy to supporting ecotourism sites in installing rooftop solar systems, the project hopes to inspire sustainable change across the sector. 

For media enquiries contact: 

Ms. Sophearoth Ravy, Senior Communications Officer, [email protected]  

Notes to Editors:

• Photos for third-party use are available here
• Principles for Permitting the Use of Rooftop Solar Power in Cambodia was presented by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) in April 2023. It will form the basis of the forthcoming regulation, slated to be issued in early 2024. 
• The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) desires to lift the country out of poverty and become a higher-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050, as stated in the Pentagon Strategy - Phase I for the current Seventh Legislature of the National Assembly . The RGC aims to enhance connectivity and efficiency in energy as mentioned in the 2nd Pillar for ‘ Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Enhancement’ and sustainable management of natural resources, cultural heritages and tourism in the 4th Pillar for ‘Resilient, Sustainable and Development’.

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• International
• Environment
• Press Release

Cambodia Tourism Federation networking event @ Raffles Hotel Le Royal

The Cambodian tourism sector is set for spectacular growth in the next few years, thanks to industry networking through the Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF) and support from the Ministry of Tourism. CTF president Luu Meng said this at a CTF networking event in Phnom Penh on Tuesday with the theme, ‘Stronger Together in Tourism’.

“Our ultimate goal is marketing and bringing more people to experience our wonderful country. But to do so, we need to develop our tourism products, and have policies and infrastructure that support such development. This way, our tourism sector will be much stronger,” he told the 200 guests at the event. Mr Luu Meng said the last four years have been exciting for the sector, thanks to incredible work by the Ministry of Tourism and the private sector to develop mechanisms for better discussion and communication. The only way for Cambodian tourism to grow, he said, is for all parties to work together. “There is no single part of the equation that can stand alone. We are all working towards the same goal of making Cambodia the ‘destination of choice’ for tourists.” He said the CTF started as four associations, but has since expanded to nine associations and two private companies. And it continues to expand with the goal to engage all aspects of the private sector and provide a platform to build the tourism industry. Mr Luu Meng said: “Though having the right tourism policies are important, ultimately it is a coordinated marketing strategy that will draw more international tourists. This includes promoting our existing tourism products and developing new ones. But this needs to happen under a cohesive longer-term strategy.”

Photo by: Engly Tuy (Sakura)

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Meet the team

National president of the cambodia hotel association (july 2021 – present), mr. somethearith din.

Mr. Somethearith Din is a self-established entrepreneur who founded the Frangipani Villa Hotel Chain, which has been claimed as the first proudly Cambodian-owned Boutique Hotel chain. Later on, he founded a very famous holiday home and resort project, Phumi Phka Trakoun, and a township estate, Mongkul Villa. He was an architect, having graduated Master’s Degree in Urban Environmental Management (UEM) from the prominent university, The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, and served as a Country Manager of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) after spending more than ten years in urban development, architecture, housing, land management, and human settlements field. He also used to serve as a Part-Time Lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture, Norton University. He is now an honorable visiting lecturer at Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Centre (CJCC) for an entrepreneurship course.

Mr. Somethearith is no ordinary architect, an urban expert but also an outstanding entrepreneur and public speaker who has grown his successful boutique hotel and real estate businesses with a very small capital. Apart from his business, he also used to serve the role as the President of Cambodia Hotel Association (CHA), Vice-President of ASEAN Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHRA), a Founding Member of the Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF), a Co-Founder of the Young Entrepreneur Association of Cambodia, Siem Reap Chapter, the first ever President of BNI Cambodia (CEO Chapter), and an Advisory Member of Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC).

Association Manager (Feb 2020-Present) Ms. HUN Sophea

Former President for the mandate (May 2019 – June 2021) CLAIS Chenda (Mrs.), President

Mrs. CLAIS Chenda is the owner of Terres Rouge Collection highlighting hotels off the beaten track. Her wide experience in alternative destination experiences provides great leadership to the next stage of tourism in Cambodia.

Chenda also is CEO and founder of the Chamkar Damnak Organic Farm in Kep and President of the non-government organization Airavata Elephant Foundation. Her commitment to best practices both in tourism and the hospitality industry helps her advise to others.

Former Association Manager (2019) SAY Lalin (Mrs.), Association Manager

She was the Training Coordinator for the High Impact Tourism Training program. Lalin has a good understanding of the ASEAN Hospitality Standards and the importance of training for our industry.

Lalin was instrumental in the Cambodia National Hospitality Competitions and has extensive event planning experience. She also was key in the Clean Green Committee for the tourism sector.

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CTF & WWF Spearhead Solar Energy Drive to Boost Cambodia’s Tourism Sector

• 1 December 2023

The Tourism Federation of Cambodia (CTF) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are championing the widespread adoption of rooftop solar energy to propel Cambodia’s tourism industry into a greener future. This joint initiative, in alignment with the Ministry of Tourism’s recent revelation of a nearly threefold increase in international tourist visits in the first eight months of 2023 compared to the previous year, seeks to fortify the tourism sector’s resilience and environmental responsibility post-pandemic, as WWF reported on 24 November 2023.

CTF and WWF experts contend that embracing solar power regulations could stimulate the integration of clean energy practices, encouraging key economic players to invest in solar power systems on rooftops. This approach, providing a transparent and equitable pricing structure, complements existing regulatory frameworks and encourages a broader transition to sustainable energy.

Emphasizing the economic potential, experts from both institutions highlight that the implementation of rooftop solar systems could elevate revenue streams for community-based eco-tourism sites nationwide, fostering sustainable economic growth. Moreover, it aligns with the evolving preferences of global tourists, as 78% actively seek environmentally friendly accommodations, including those powered by clean energy.

According to data from WWF Cambodia, the Ministry of Mines and Energy estimates Cambodia’s solar power potential at around 3,000 megawatts, constituting nearly 30% of its total energy supply by 2040.

Presently, Cambodia harnesses just over 400 megawatts of electricity from solar sources, leaving ample room for further expansion, particularly in rooftop solar installations across garment factories, residences, and establishments.

MME formally endorsed rooftop solar energy usage in June 2023, opening avenues for non-electricity consumers to install solar panels on their rooftops without impacting the national grid’s supply.

• Tourism and Travelling
• Energy and Environment

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CAMFOOD expo set to bring in foreign goods

• 9 June 2016
• The Phnom Penh Post
• Industries / Ministry of Tourism / Tourism
• AMB Tarsus Exhibitions / Andrew Siow / Cambodian Tourism Federation (CTF) / CamFood / CAMHOTEL expo

The fifth annual CAMFOOD and CAMHOTEL expo is scheduled for October 22 and will mostly feature foreign companies, giving local companies the opportunity to learn from foreign business practices as well as showcase their own products, industry leaders announced yesterday. ...  ...

 Ayanna Runcie http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/camfood-expo-set-bring-foreign-goods

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