Five of Cambodia’s outstanding tourist cities have been recognised with awards at the 5th ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard competition for 2026–2028. Clean cities are valuable tourism products that offer memorable experiences for guests, according to Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The five Cambodian cities are Sihanoukville, Battambang, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham and Stueng Saen.
In a February 27 message to mark the 13th National Clean City Day 2026, themed “Solidarity for Clean Cities”, Manet noted that Cambodia is currently moving forward with pride, while maintaining peace, security, political stability, public order, macroeconomic stability, social harmony, improved infrastructure and development across all sectors.
These are fundamental pillars for strengthening Cambodia’s tourism sector to become resilient and sustainable, with the goal of positioning Cambodia as a safe, clean, green and sustainable tourism destination.
He explained that with a clear vision for the future, the Kingdom must intensify its efforts to achieve long-term progress by prioritising key areas, including poverty reduction, improving people’s livelihoods, enhancing public health and well-being, developing human capital, building a strong social protection system, addressing risks and vulnerabilities, ensuring sustainability in cities, responding to climate change, improving working and living conditions, embracing rapid digital transformation in economic and social activities and protecting and conserving natural resources.
“Clean cities are attractive tourism products that can provide good experiences and lasting memories for both domestic and international tourists. Urban development plays an important role in tourism development, as cities are hubs for living, leisure, tourism activities, commerce, economic and political affairs, and culture,” he said.
“The success of the tourism sector will also contribute to urban development through economic dynamism, trade, investment, new models of urban development, urban heritage conservation, environmental sustainability, cleanliness and greenery, and the construction of essential supporting infrastructure to meet tourists’ needs. All of these will help make cities more vibrant and excellent places to live, do business and visit,” he added.
The prime minister said that urban planning and development must prioritise cleanliness, greenery, a healthy environment, comprehensive connectivity infrastructure, security and safety, modernisation and innovation, social well-being, and the provision of warm and friendly hospitality.
At the same time, efforts must be made to preserve and promote the culture, traditions, customs and urban heritage that attract domestic and international tourists.
He called on the Cambodian people to support tourism activities, domestic tourism movements, and the “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season” campaign (from May to October) by traveling to tourist destinations across the country.
This will help promote tourism development, stimulate domestic economic activities and strengthen national pride in a spirit of solidarity, friendship and equitable benefit-sharing with local communities, in line with the concepts “Tourism Linking Territories” and “To Love the Nation is to Know the Land,” as well as the slogans “Tourism for All, All for Tourism!”, “Tourism Grows in Peace!” and “Each of Us is an Ambassador for Cambodian Tourism!”.
According to the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), in 2025 Cambodia welcomed nearly 5.6 million international tourists, a decline of 16.9% from 2024, when arrivals totalled 6.7 million. International tourism revenue was estimated at $3.7 billion.
