PHNOM PENH: H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, received H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Cambodia, and his delegation on Jan. 2 to discuss the further promotion of bilateral tourism cooperation between Cambodia and India in 2026.
During the meeting, H.E. the Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the close and effective cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and the Indian Embassy in Cambodia, which contributed to positive outcomes, including a notable increase in Indian tourist arrivals in 2025. He also highlighted various tourism promotion activities jointly organised by both sides that yielded encouraging results.
H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung further emphasised the Ministry’s continued support for the successful implementation of three Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) funded by the Government of India, aimed at developing eco-tourism communities in Cambodia in the coming year.
For his part, H.E. Huot Hak thanked the Government and people of India for their unwavering support for Cambodia across various sectors, particularly tourism. He cited the launch of the “Cambodia-India Tourism Year” and the significant rise in Indian visitors to Cambodia in the final months of 2025 as key achievements.
The Minister also assured the Ambassador of the readiness of Cambodia’s tourism sector to accommodate a growing number of Indian tourists in 2026. This readiness is supported by direct flight connections between New Delhi and Phnom Penh operated by Air Cambodia, and between Kolkata and Siem Reap province by IndiGo Airlines, as well as by enhanced safety measures, ongoing national development, rich tourism potential, and Cambodia’s warm hospitality rooted in shared culture, civilisation, and centuries-old historical ties.
He further expressed appreciation for India’s support through the QIP projects and for the opportunity granted to four Ministry of Tourism officials to attend a comprehensive training programme in India in late January 2026.
According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism, a total of 62,254 Indian tourists visited Cambodia in the first 11 months of 2025.