Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Huot Hak, led a high-level delegation to Seoul, South Korea, to take part in the 40th Seoul International Travel Fair. The event was held with the approval of Prime Minister Hun Manet. It marked a key moment in Cambodia’s efforts to boost international tourism and bring more visitors to the country. The Seoul International Travel Fair is one of the largest tourism events in Asia. More than 40 countries joined the event, with 500 booths, 750 sellers, and 800 buyers in attendance. It gave Cambodia a global platform to promote its unique travel experiences, natural beauty, and growing tourism industry.
During the trip, Minister Huot Hak met with Chring Botum Rangsay, Cambodia’s Ambassador to South Korea. He shared greetings from Prime Minister Hun Manet and thanked the ambassador and her team for their hard work in supporting Cambodia’s tourism goals. Their efforts have helped increase awareness of Cambodia as a safe and welcoming country for travelers and investors. The meeting also focused on current tourism campaigns and long-term strategies to improve Cambodia’s image among Korean tourists and global visitors.
One key topic discussed was the “Visiting Cambodia in Green Season” campaign. This campaign promotes travel during the country’s rainy season, which runs from May to October. While this time of year often sees fewer tourists, it offers lush scenery, cooler temperatures, and lower prices. Minister Huot Hak said the campaign aims to show that Cambodia is beautiful and enjoyable all year round, not just in the dry season. He thanked the embassy for supporting the campaign and helping correct false information that may affect how the country is viewed abroad.
The Cambodian delegation used the fair to connect with Korean travel agencies, airlines, and investors. They presented travel packages, investment opportunities, and cultural programs. They also highlighted popular tourist spots such as Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kampot, and Sihanoukville. In addition, they promoted lesser-known destinations to encourage a wider spread of visitors across the country.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 250,000 Korean tourists visited Cambodia each year. That number dropped during the global health crisis, but Cambodian officials believe it can return to past levels or even increase. The goal is to restore strong tourism ties between Cambodia and South Korea by improving travel options, sharing positive stories about Cambodia, and offering new tourism services.
Minister Huot Hak and his team also took part in meetings with Korean airlines, hotel companies, and tourism technology firms. These meetings focused on finding ways to create direct flights, improve digital services, and attract business partners who can help grow Cambodia’s tourism sector. Officials also discussed the need for more training and education programs to support young professionals in the industry.
The Cambodian Embassy in Seoul played a key role in helping organize these events and meetings. They helped set up Cambodia’s booth, which featured local music, food, and traditional dance performances. The booth drew attention from both Korean visitors and other international guests. Minister Huot Hak praised the embassy’s efforts and encouraged continued teamwork between embassies and the tourism ministry to keep promoting Cambodia abroad.
This visit is part of a larger plan to grow Cambodia’s tourism industry in 2025 and beyond. The Ministry of Tourism is working on several projects to improve the travel experience. These include building better roads and airports, offering tax benefits to investors, expanding eco-tourism and cultural programs, and using digital tools to help tourists plan their trips. The ministry also wants to make sure tourism growth benefits local communities and protects the environment.
The delegation’s next steps will include attending more international events later in the year. These include travel expos in Japan, China, and Europe. The goal is to keep building connections and share Cambodia’s message with more people around the world.
Cambodia’s visit to the Seoul International Travel Fair shows that the country is ready to welcome tourists and investors. With strong leadership, new campaigns, and global partnerships, Cambodia is taking big steps to strengthen its place in the world tourism market.
