Cambodia and Cuba have committed to deepening bilateral tourism cooperation, marking a significant step in the 66-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
During a meeting in Phnom Penh on Thursday, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, H.E. Huot Hak, hosted H.E. Ms. Milena Caridad Zalddivar Piedra, Cuban Ambassador to Cambodia, to outline a strategic roadmap for mutual growth in the travel sector.
Minister Huot Hak highlighted the enduring ties between the two countries, which date back to 1960. He underscored that Cambodia’s current stability and economic growth are the fruits of the “Win-Win Policy” established by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate.
This stability has allowed tourism to flourish as Cambodia’s “Green Gold.”
The Minister further emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, tourism remains a top national priority and a backbone of the Kingdom’s socio-economic development.
In reply, Ambassador Zalddivar Piedra proposed three primary pillars to revitalise the partnership: Organising exchange visits for travel professionals and media to promote and market each country’s unique destinations; Drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed between the respective tourism ministries at the upcoming Cuba International Tourism Fair; Facilitating high-level meetings between a visiting Cuban tourism delegation and Cambodian tourism associations to foster private-sector partnerships.
Minister Huot Hak expressed full support for these initiatives, confirming the Ministry’s commitment to the proposed exchange trips and the formalisation of the MoU.
Both parties agreed that the collaboration would provide a vital boost to their respective tourism markets as they seek to diversify international arrivals.
