Mom Kunthea / Khmer Times
With just two weeks left for the 9th River Festival 2025 (March 21-23) scheduled to take place at the Takeo Lakeside Park in Daun Keo city, Takeo province, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) yesterday urged tour operators to improve the quality of tourism services to attract more national and international tourists to visit and stay in the province.
In a letter to the tour operators, Minister of Tourism Huot Hak urged them to strengthen the quality of tourism services to celebrate the 9th River Festival 2025.
The river festival, under the theme ‘The Value of Rivers: Connecting Culture and Natural Tourism’ is aimed at promoting the tourism potential of provinces along the river, with a special focus on encouraging local communities to actively participate in the development of riverside cities and the growth of community-based tourism. The festival is also an event designed to diversify Cambodia’s tourism offerings, making them more varied and attractive.
Hak, in his letter, underlined the need “to strengthen the quality of tourism services with the goal of enhancing Cambodia’s prestige and resilience by transforming the country into a leading global tourism destination, rich in diversity, opportunities, and warmth”.
He stated that in preparation for the 9th River Festival in 2025, the ministry wants to advise all tourism operators in Takeo province to collaborate effectively with competent authorities at all levels to ensure security, safety, public order, and maintain cleanliness and beauty at their business locations.
The minister also recommended that business products or services be publicly displayed in all forms and that prices and other applicable conditions be clearly stated, which is necessary for guests to consider before they choose to purchase tourism products or use tourism services. The prices of products or services must be kept reasonable and the quality of tourism services must be improved.
“Pay attention and actively participate in attracting national and international tourists to engage in the campaign as each one of us is a promoter of Cambodian tourism,” he said.
“Organizing this River Festival is a crucial opportunity to promote the tourism potential of Cambodia’s riverine provinces and to encourage all parties to engage in the conservation and sustainable development of our river resources.”
Takeo Provincial Governor Vei Samnang said yesterday that the Takeo Provincial Administration is truly happy and proud that the 7th-term Royal Government has placed its trust in Takeo province to host the 9th River Festival.
He said that it was a great opportunity for his province to showcase the province’s rich tourism potential, which includes numerous cultural, natural, and historical sites, as well as a variety of local foods.
“Takeo province has achieved many accolades that contributed to economic growth, tourism development, and the improvement of the family economy for the residents of Takeo province,” Samnang emphasised.
During the 9th River Festival, the provincial administration will also organize 10 types of sports events, traditional and contemporary entertainment arts, displays of local products, and local tourism potential.