Cambodian Tourism Minister Urges ASEAN Unity, Infrastructure Investment at Melaka Retreat

Melaka, Malaysia (Sept. 30, 2025) — Cambodian Tourism Minister Huot Hak called for concrete joint actions rooted in ASEAN unity and collective commitment during the ASEAN Tourism Ministers Retreat held Friday in Melaka.

Huot urged ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to invest in connectivity infrastructure, improve people-to-people travel facilitation, and simplify travel procedures across the region and globally. He said such measures are essential to boosting tourist flows and maintaining ASEAN’s competitiveness.

He also underscored the importance of regional peace and political stability as foundations for sustainable, resilient and inclusive tourism development.

The retreat, hosted for the first time in Melaka by Malaysia as chair of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting 2025, brought together tourism ministers and heads of national tourism organizations from all 10 ASEAN member states, along with Timor-Leste as an observer and the ASEAN secretary-general.

Discussions focused on two key themes: developing tourism based on sustainability, resilience and inclusivity, and enhancing regional and global connectivity to increase tourist arrivals to ASEAN and attract international visitors.

ASEAN tourism ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the sector to ensure the region’s competitiveness and resilience.