Sihanoukville Launches Beach Cleaning Campaign for Tourism Sustainability

Sihanoukville province, Cambodia – On September 14, 2026, the administration of Sihanoukville province launched a beach cleaning campaign under the theme 'Clean Beaches, Sustainable Tourism, Strong Communities.' The event was presided over by H.E. Thong Hak, Minister of Tourism, and H.E. Mang Sineth, Governor of Sihanoukville province. Participants included Enrico Gavelia, Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Kingdom of Cambodia, provincial deputy governors, city governors, civil servants, armed forces, and students at Ou Chheuteal beach in Sangkat 4, Sihanoukville city. Speaking at the campaign on Monday morning, September 14, 2026, H.E. Mang Sineth, Governor of Sihanoukville province, stated that the campaign aims to raise public awareness and encourage citizen participation in maintaining the cleanliness of beach areas and preserving their beauty. This initiative aligns with the Royal Government of Cambodia's policy, led by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvotheat Hun Manet, who regards tourism as 'green gold' and a crucial sector for driving economic growth, creating jobs, increasing income, and reducing poverty, while also contributing to the protection and conservation of national cultural heritage and natural resources. The beach cleaning campaign is not merely an activity to collect trash but serves as a message for behavioral change and a strategic objective to enhance the preservation of natural resources and tourism services, thereby promoting the coastal areas as more attractive destinations. In recent times, the Sihanoukville provincial administration has strived to develop infrastructure, strengthen security, order, safety, environmental sanitation management, and tourism service standards. As a result, Sihanoukville province has received numerous national and international awards and accolades. Notably, in early 2026, the province received ASEAN Standard awards, including the ASEAN Clean Tourist City award, the MICE Venue award for meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, and conference venues, and the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Award (ASTA Urban Category). Furthermore, Koh Rong beach was ranked as the 9th cleanest beach in the world. These successes and awards are not coincidental but are the fruits of collective efforts. Cleanliness, a clean environment, and public order are the heart of sustainable tourism. A clean city and clean beaches are not achieved in a single day or moment but require the regular participation of all relevant parties. H.E. the Governor of Sihanoukville province continued by appealing to all levels of authorities, relevant ministries and departments, the private sector, tourism operators, citizens, and all tourists as follows: 1. Continue to pay attention to proper waste collection and always maintain the cleanliness of the beach environment. 2. Actively participate in the 'Clean City, Clean Beach, Clean River' competition movement to transform Sihanoukville province into a green, smart coastal tourism destination offering the best relaxation experience for tourists. Concurrently, H.E. the Governor of Sihanoukville province requested relevant ministries and institutions, various development partners, especially the Ministry of Tourism, to continue supporting the development of key priority sectors to transform Sihanoukville province into the most sustainable, resilient, inclusive, and attractive coastal tourism destination for tourists. H.E. Thong Hak, Minister of Tourism, delivered an opening speech for the beach cleaning campaign themed 'Clean Beaches, Sustainable Tourism, Strong Communities,' aimed at promoting sustainable coastal tourism and reducing plastic waste. This is the third such campaign organized by the Ministry of Tourism in close cooperation with sub-national administrations and UNDP, following similar events in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. H.E. the Minister of Tourism highly praised the many achievements and positive outcomes resulting from the leadership of the Sihanoukville provincial administration at all levels. He called upon civil servants, armed forces, citizens, students, and domestic and international tourists to participate in maintaining and collectively cleaning our beaches to ensure they are clean, hygienic, and environmentally beautiful, thereby attracting more tourists to the province's coastal areas in the future. By: Ngo Somuney © All rights reserved by Agence Kampuchea Presse 2018