The National Ecotourism Forum 2025
Date: November 24-25, 2026
Venue: Sokha Siem Reap Convention Center
Ecotourism and community-based tourism are sustainable tourism models that empower local communities to take an active role in managing tourism development and improving long-term well-being. These approaches promote balanced economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. In particular, community-based tourism enables local people to plan, operate, and coordinate tourism activities, enhancing livelihoods while preserving socio-cultural values, traditional practices, cultural heritage, and natural resources.
On November 24–25, 2025, the National Committee for Management and Development of Community-Based Tourism and Ecotourism (NCDE) successfully organized the 4th and 5th National Ecotourism Forum. The forum was presided over by H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the NCDE, and H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Vice Chairman of the NCDE.
The forum brought together more than 600 participants, including representatives from relevant ministries and institutions, provincial governors, officials from provincial departments of tourism, environment, and agriculture, as well as national and international organizations and community representatives. The event served as an important national platform to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and strengthen cooperation in promoting sustainable tourism development across Cambodia.
Key activities of the forum included technical panel discussions led by expert speakers, field visits to community-based tourism and ecotourism sites, and exhibitions showcasing achievements, services, and products from ecotourism and community-based tourism communities from across the country.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, Borei O’Svay Ecotourism, Preah Romkel Ecotourism, and Koh Han Ecotourism communities from Borei O’Svay Sen Chey District, Stung Treng Province, were officially awarded certificates of accreditation by H.E. Huot Hak. The recognition highlighted their strong commitment to quality standards, sustainability, and development of ecotourism community.
Photo & Text by Seang Chenda
November 24-25, 2025
Documentation Center of Cambodia Archives
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