Cambodia highlights regional tourism cooperation at ASEAN Plus Three meeting

PHNOM PENH, 31 January 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Huot Hak, has led a delegation to the 25th ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, underscoring the country’s commitment to strengthening regional tourism cooperation with China, Japan and South Korea.

The meeting, held on 30 January, brought together ministers from all 10 ASEAN member states, senior ASEAN officials and representatives from partner countries, with around 170 participants in attendance.

It was co-chaired by Philippine Tourism Secretary Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco and Japan’s Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Manabu Nagai.

Huot Hak highlighted progress under the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Work Plan, building on outcomes from last year’s ministerial meeting. He praised the ASEAN–China, ASEAN–Japan and ASEAN–Korea Centres for their role in advancing regional cooperation.

On Cambodia–China ties, the minister expressed appreciation for Beijing’s continued support in developing Cambodia’s tourism sector and boosting Chinese visitor arrivals, particularly during the Cambodia–China Tourism Year 2025.

He announced that Cambodia will pilot a visa exemption for Chinese passport holders from 15 June to 15 October 2026.

Huot Hak also welcomed recent developments with Japan, including Cambodia’s participation in major tourism forums and the launch of the first direct flight between Phnom Penh and Tokyo in October 2025.

He said the new route would help expand tourism, trade and investment between the two countries.

Regarding South Korea, the minister reaffirmed Cambodia’s support for ASEAN–Korea tourism cooperation and noted initiatives such as familiarisation trips for media and social media influencers to promote Cambodia as a safe and diverse destination for Korean travellers.

He called on China, Japan and South Korea to continue supporting capacity building, joint promotions and regional tourism programmes.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2026–2030, aimed at deepening tourism ties between ASEAN and its three partner countries.