Cambodia Strengthens Public–Private Partnership to Boost Restaurant Standards and Tourism

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 6, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia is stepping up cooperation with the restaurant industry to raise service standards and food quality as part of wider efforts to enhance tourism competitiveness, officials said Friday.

Tourism Minister Huot Hak chaired a dialogue with the Cambodia Restaurant Association on Thursday to deepen collaboration through a public–private partnership mechanism aimed at strengthening the resilience of the tourism sector and boosting visitor arrivals.

The meeting brought together about 80 participants, including government officials, tourism industry representatives and members of the restaurant association.

During the discussion, the minister encouraged the association to expand its membership, strengthen organizational capacity and develop a practical cooperation plan for 2026 aligned with Cambodia’s “Green Season” tourism campaign.

Hak also urged the association to broaden its international presence and promote Cambodian culinary tourism abroad, stressing the growing role of food and beverage services in enhancing visitor experiences.

At the meeting, the minister announced that the Royal Government has approved a pilot visa exemption program for Chinese passport holders from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Under the scheme, travelers from China will be granted visa-free entry to Cambodia between June 15 and October 15, 2026, regardless of their departure location.

The initiative is designed to attract more visitors from one of Cambodia’s key tourism markets while supporting businesses in the hospitality and restaurant sectors.