Background
During an official visit by the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives, the Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, Thong Khon, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation between Cambodia and the Maldives. The MoU was signed on 16 January 2023 in Malé, Maldives, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Cambodia and the President of the Maldives.
Scope of Application
The MoU applies to cooperation in the tourism sector between Cambodia and the Maldives. It covers cultural heritage tourism, urban and rural tourism, nature and ecotourism, community-based tourism, religious tourism, and other related tourism activities. It also extends to exchanges of technical officials and private sector actors, joint promotional efforts, participation in tourism-related events and trade fairs, and encouragement of economic and investment activities linked to tourism, including potential air connectivity.
Key Provisions or Decisions
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the MoU focuses on the following areas of cooperation:
- Promoting cooperation in cultural heritage tourism, urban and rural tourism, nature tourism, ecotourism, community tourism, religious tourism, and other tourism segments.
- Organizing exchanges of official and private sector delegations for study visits and working missions in the tourism field.
- Producing joint tourism promotional materials to attract visitors to both countries.
- Supporting and participating in seminars, meetings, conferences, and tourism trade fairs and business events.
- Encouraging economic activities, investment, and the development of air connectivity related to tourism between the two countries.
- Other forms of tourism cooperation as may be jointly agreed.
The Minister of Tourism further indicated that outcomes from cooperation in other sectors during the visit will help promote implementation of this MoU. He highlighted agreement on visa exemptions for citizens of both countries holding diplomatic, official, and ordinary passports for stays of up to 30 days, to facilitate travel between Cambodia and the Maldives.
The Minister also noted the Prime Minister’s initiative to study the creation of a “dual-destination visa” framework between Cambodia and the Maldives. This concept is aimed at encouraging tourists from third countries who holiday at Maldivian beaches to also visit Angkor Wat and other heritage or tourism sites in Cambodia as part of a combined itinerary.
Separately, the Cambodian Prime Minister invited the President of the Maldives to pay an official visit to Cambodia before 5 May 2023 to have an audience with the King of Cambodia, continue discussions on bilateral cooperation, and inaugurate the Cambodia-Maldives Friendship Road in Preah Sihanouk province.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The MoU provides a framework for expanded tourism collaboration and promotional activities between Cambodia and the Maldives. Tourism businesses may benefit from joint marketing, participation in bilateral tourism events, and potential development of combined travel packages targeting visitors from third countries. The planned 30-day visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official, and ordinary passports, once implemented, is expected to ease short-term bilateral travel. The exploration of a dual-destination visa framework, if later formalized, could create opportunities for integrated tourism products linking the Maldives and Cambodian destinations such as Angkor Wat.
Official Source
Ministry of Tourism official communication via Facebook post dated 16 January 2023.
