Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk province has launched a five-year tourism development plan aimed at strengthening the coastal region’s competitiveness and attracting more domestic and international visitors.
Tourism Minister Huot Hak and Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Mang Sineth launched the Preah Sihanouk Tourism Development Plan 2026–2030 on September 14th, according to state news agency Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP).
The plan aims to position the province as an internationally competitive business and leisure destination, with priorities including new tourism products, improved service quality, safety and cleanliness, as well as further development of its beaches, islands and marine tourism.
Authorities also highlighted supporting infrastructure including the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, international airport and deep-sea port.
Sihanoukville developed rapidly into one of Cambodia’s main casino centres during the late 2010s, driven by an influx of Chinese investment and online gambling operations.
Cambodia’s decision in 2019 to stop issuing and renewing online gambling licenses triggered a sharp exodus of Chinese workers and investors from the city, contributing to stalled construction projects and pressure on the property and service sectors. The downturn was subsequently compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authorities have more recently tightened oversight of casinos and stepped up enforcement against online scam operations linked to some properties in the province.
