PHNOM PENH: A Malaysian business delegation has requested the support of Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism with the organisation of three major events, each of them a first in the Kingdom.
The “The Kingdom’s Grand Prix & Gala” will bring three world-class events, including a music festival and two major motorsport events, in the near future.
International tourist arrivals to the country fell by nearly 20% in 2025.
Michael Cheow, chairman of C. Michael International Sdn Bhd, and a Malaysian delegation met with Minister of Tourism Huot Hak at the tourism ministry headquarters on Monday (March 2).
Cheow welcomed recommendations from the Cambodian authorities for the project, which the Malaysian delegation plans to organise as part of tourism promotion efforts in Cambodia.
The International Music Feast is a world-class music festival designed to celebrate both contemporary artistic talent and Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage, while a power boat racing festival will promote the Kingdom’s beautiful coastline.
Finally, Grand Touring (GT) racing will see an elite motorsport racing event take place which is designed to promote Cambodia’s reputation among international automotive enthusiasts and high-spending tourists.
“I firmly believe that these events will not only stimulate the local economy and create jobs, but also demonstrate Cambodia’s readiness to host large-scale and modern international events,” said Cheow.
Hak reaffirmed the tourism ministry’s support for major international events, expressing his hopes that the three events would become a source of pride for investors and generate significant economic benefits for the Cambodian people.
He encouraged the Malaysian delegation to highlight Cambodia’s peace and stability to the Malaysian public.
“Cambodia remains a safe tourist destination with tourism investment potential,” said the minister.
The ministry noted that global political and economic crises, as well as border conflicts initiated by the Thai military, have led to a decline in foreign tourist arrivals to Cambodia.
In 2025, Cambodia welcomes a total of 5.57 million international guests, a decrease of 16.9% from 2024. Of them, 96,268 were Malaysian nationals, a 2.1% increase.
According to the National Bank of Cambodia, Cambodia’s total revenue from international tourism in 2025 was estimated at approximately $3.7 billion, an increase of 3% over 2024. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
