Cambodia Travel Match (CTM) 2024, to be held in Kampot from December 14 to 15 along with this year’s Sea Festival, will provide a platform for Cambodian tourism suppliers to engage with international buyers and key industry leaders, according to the Ministry of Tourism recently.
Organised under the theme ‘Coastal Heritage and Sustainability,’ the event will be a key highlight of the 11th Sea Festival, it said in a statement.
CTM 2024 is organised by the ministry and Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia Chapter (PATACC) along with Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF), Cambodia Hotel Association (CHA), and Cambodia Restaurant Association (CRA).
“It provides an exclusive platform for Cambodian tourism suppliers to engage with international buyers, media, sponsors, and key industry leaders and aims to promote Cambodia as a leader in sustainable tourism, aligning with global trends by showcasing the country’s unique tourism offerings, including its coastal heritage,” the statement noted.
The event will facilitate business connections through structured B2B matchmaking and help immediate deal-making by fostering long-term partnerships within the tourism sector. It can also strengthen Cambodia’s position as a prime destination for responsible and impactful travel.
The CTM adopts the innovative ‘Top Table Sales’ model, ensuring productive 15-minute pre-scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers.
“CTM 2024 emphasizes eco-friendly practices, local engagement, and community-focused tourism. Sellers will present innovative, sustainable offerings, and buyers are encouraged to prioritize partnerships that support Cambodia’s vision for environmentally responsible tourism,” the statement said.
The format enables focused, private discussions, enhancing opportunities for deal closure. Participants include Destination Management Companies (DMCs), tour operators, travel agents, and key investors from ASEAN, Pacific, and other global markets, it added.
Thourn Sinan, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Cambodia Chapter), told Khmer Times yesterday that the event aims to facilitate networking and business opportunities among various stakeholders in the industry by promoting collaboration and innovation.
“We are targeting 100 sellers from across the country, and we currently have confirmed participation from buyers representing various countries – 12 from Indonesia, seven from Malaysia, 15 from India, five from Singapore, 10 from Vietnam, and five representatives each from Turkey and Russia. Additionally, we have 25 buyers from Thailand and five from China,” Sinan said.
It may also be noted that the 11th Sea Festival is held in Kampot province from December 13-15 under the theme ‘Celebrating Heritage and Coastal Sustainability.’
Along with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Provincial Administration of Kampot, the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia and the Khmer Artists Association are associated with the Sea Festival, besides other institutions and private sector players.
Prime Minister Hun Manet and First Lady Pich Chanmony are expected to preside over the official opening ceremony of the Sea Festival on December 14.
According to the ministry, the Sea Festival 2024 will feature a variety of exciting activities, including live concerts, performances, musical entertainment, fireworks, sports activities and competitions, exhibitions of tourism and general products, food and beverage festivals and other entertainment activities.
Cambodia has been organising the Sea Festival since 2011 on a rotating basis in the country’s four coastal provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kep, Koh Kong and Kampot to promote the tourism potential of the coastal areas and create awareness about protecting and preserving marine resources and beach environment.
Cambodia’s coastline stretches about 450 kilometres in the four provinces. It is also a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World (World-Bays Club) since 2011.
After the Covid-19 threat abated, Cambodia has started attracting tourists in large numbers again. The country attracted 5.37 million international tourists during the first ten months of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 22 percent, according to a report released by the Ministry of Tourism recently.
