Cambodia, Turkey pledge closer tourism ties at UN meeting

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Nov.12,2015) — Cambodia and Turkey have pledged to deepen tourism cooperation following bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 26th General Assembly of the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) in Riyadh.

Cambodian Tourism Minister Hout Hak led a high-level delegation to the event and met Monday with Nadir Alpaslan, Turkey’s deputy minister of culture and tourism.

The two officials discussed implementing a previously signed memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation. They agreed to make the partnership more practical and results-driven by forming technical working groups, drafting joint action plans, and organizing promotional events.

The initiatives aim to boost tourist flows and attract investment in both countries’ tourism sectors.

The meeting coincided with Turkish Airlines’ preparations to launch direct flights between Istanbul and Phnom Penh, a move both sides said would enhance travel, trade and cultural exchange.

Cambodia and Turkey established diplomatic relations in 1959 and have recently sought to expand cooperation beyond politics and trade. Tourism is viewed as a key growth area, with both countries aiming to diversify travel markets and strengthen people-to-people ties.