Cambodia is diversifying its international tourism markets by targeting the Muslim tourism market, which holds great potential, to complement the existing international markets, H.E. Huot Hak, Cambodian Minister of Tourism, said while presiding over the opening ceremony of a training course on Hospitality for Muslim Tourists and the Cambodia Muslim-Friendly Standard on Aug. 18.
The training course, organised in Phnom Penh, is aimed at strengthening capacity, sharing knowledge, and raising awareness among operators in the tourism industry, the private sector, and other stakeholders about preparing and developing tourism business bases to welcome Muslim tourists.
According to the ministry, the initiative is designed to promote the growth of Muslim tourism, which adds significant value to the tourism sector, in line with the Muslim Tourism Development Plan (2023–2027).
H.E. Minister stated that according to the Global Muslim Travel Index report, the number of Muslim tourists worldwide reached approximately 176 million in 2024, an increase of 25 percent compared to 2023 and an increase of 10 percent compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Moreover, the figure is expected to rise to 186 million in 2025.
These figures clearly demonstrate Cambodia’s growing opportunities to seize and diversify its tourism markets, thereby strengthening and expanding the potential of Cambodia’s tourism industry toward inclusiveness, sustainability, resilience, and prosperity through capturing the Muslim tourism market as a complement to existing international markets.
H.E. Minister further emphasised that since the launch of the Muslim Tourism Development Plan (2023–2027), which is a key strategic framework for attracting Muslim tourists, the Cambodia Muslim-Friendly Standard has become an important instrument showcasing Cambodia’s readiness to develop Muslim tourism destinations, business bases, and warm hospitality for Muslim tourists.
At the same time, the Minister highlighted several key recommendations for the Muslim Tourism Task Force, including expediting the preparation of the Cambodia Muslim-Friendly Handbook as a fundamental guide for Muslim tourism hospitality. He also encouraged continued close cooperation with relevant institutions to organise more training courses, thereby equipping tourism businesses and stakeholders with deeper knowledge about Muslim tourism hospitality and the Cambodia Muslim-Friendly Standard.
Furthermore, H.E. Minister urged all tourism businesses to continuously improve the quality of their services to higher standards, while maintaining reasonable prices and ensuring adequate facilities to properly welcome Muslim tourists, offering added value to their services.
