The Philippines and the Kingdom of Cambodia have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing tourism cooperation through a newly signed Implementation Program (IP) for 2025-2028, building on the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tourism Cooperation between the two nations.
Tourism Agreement Presented Before Leaders
On February 11, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Huot Hak, formally presented the signed Implementation Program before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at Malacañan Palace. The presentation was part of the Prime Minister’s two-day official visit to the Philippines, where both countries also formalized agreements in various sectors, including trade, education, and agriculture.
President Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of the agreement in fostering stronger people-to-people ties between the two nations.
“These instruments will lead to more vibrant exchanges between Filipinos and Cambodians—learning together, using their skills to advance our industries and economies, and experiencing the hospitality, warmth, and natural wonders of our respective countries.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hun Manet underscored that “tourism and connectivity are crucial in promoting people-to-people exchange.”
Strengthening Tourism Collaboration
The renewed partnership follows a bilateral meeting between Secretary Frasco and Minister Hak at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, where both reaffirmed their commitment to tourism collaboration.
“The Philippines and Cambodia share deep cultural ties, diverse tourism offerings, and a commitment to preserving our historical and natural treasures. Tourism plays a vital role in driving economic growth, and this partnership strengthens our shared goals of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mutual advancement.” — Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco
According to DOT data, the Philippines welcomed 4,268 Cambodian visitors in 2024, underscoring the potential for increased tourism exchanges.
Key Initiatives Under the Implementation Program
The 2025-2028 Implementation Program outlines initiatives aimed at boosting tourism growth and cooperation, including:
- Exchange programs for tourism professionals
- Joint promotional and marketing efforts
- Collaboration on tourism fairs, exhibitions, and events
- Human resource development and training programs
- Sharing of best practices in tourism development
A Joint Working Group (JWG) will oversee the program’s execution to ensure its initiatives are effectively implemented.
Expanding Global Tourism Partnerships
- Under President Marcos Jr.’s administration, the Philippines has actively expanded international tourism cooperation through agreements with Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Thailand, and Qatar, among others.
- Other agreements presented at the Malacañang ceremony included:
- Agreement for the Elimination of Double Taxation to prevent tax evasion
- MOUs on Agricultural and Agribusiness Cooperation, ICT and Digital Transformation, Technical Vocational Education and Training, and Cultural Property Protection
- A Memorandum of Intent on Investment Promotion to bolster bilateral trade and investment opportunities
With the Implementation Program for Tourism 2025-2028, the Philippines and Cambodia are set to further strengthen tourism collaboration, enhance economic ties, and foster deeper cultural exchange in the years ahead.
