Cambodia Promotes Film Tourism to Showcase Culture and Attract International Visitors

The Ministry of Tourism is promoting film production as an effective means of showcasing Cambodia’s culture, heritage, and tourism potential to international audiences and attracting more foreign visitors. Minister of Tourism H.E. Huot Hak made the remarks during a meeting with Mr. Lao Sunly, Executive Producer of Bright Film Production, his delegation, and Canadian actor Dave Leduc at the Ministry on September 5. During the meeting, the delegation presented its film project, “Bokator: Guardian of Angkor,” and sought the Ministry’s recommendations, support, and coordination to facilitate production in Cambodia and promote Cambodian culture and tourism destinations. H.E. Huot Hak welcomed and highly commended Bright Film Production’s decision to invest in Cambodia’s film industry, expressing strong interest in the project for its potential to promote the Kingdom’s arts, culture, national identity, and tourism destinations through film. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Tourism’s support for film production projects in Cambodia and said it stands ready to facilitate relevant matters within its mandate. He noted, however, that production procedures and content must receive approval from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and comply with applicable regulations. The Minister highlighted film tourism as a priority and a powerful tool for promoting Cambodia in international markets. With the approval of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, an Inter-Ministerial Working Group for the Coordination and Promotion of Film Tourism and Night-Time Temple Visits in Cambodia has been established under his chairmanship. The working group is tasked with developing strategic and action plans for film tourism, identifying and preparing potential filming locations, promoting investment and development in the film tourism industry, and exploring incentives to encourage film production in Cambodia. H.E. Huot Hak encouraged Bright Film Production to create films and storytelling videos featuring Cambodia’s temples, heritage, culture, natural landscapes, and other tourism destinations, allowing international audiences to discover the country’s authentic beauty and diversity. He also invited the company to cooperate in promoting major tourism campaigns and events, including “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season,” as well as Cambodia’s soft power through film, gastronomy, and sports tourism, night-time temple visits, international concerts, and other national and international tourism events.